Education Commons^™

A Qualitative Descriptive Study Of Course Developer/Instructor: Incorporating Systems-Based Knowledge And A Systemic Approach To Performance-Based Instructional Design In Law Enforcement Training, Dalisay A. B. Rosado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore and understand the incorporation of systems-based knowledge and a systemic approach into performance-based instructional design (PBID) in law enforcement training at a regional police academy located in the Eastern time zone of the United States. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory (EST), which underscores the notion that the practical value of knowledge is measured by its effectiveness in a real-world application, aligning with the principles of performance-based learning. The central question asked was: How do CDIs' ascribed experiences with incorporating or lacking multiple …

A Phenomenological Study Examining The Experiences Of Instructors Who Teach Undergraduate Students With Disabilities, Nakiya Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to investigate the experiences of instructors who teach undergraduate students with a documented disability and receive accommodations through the Office of Accessibility and Disability. The theory guiding this study was Noddings’ theory on ethical care as it details how caring is an integral part of the role that both online instructors and those who teach in traditional classrooms play in the lives of their college students. This study sought to understand the effect of caring in the retrieval of accommodations for students with disabilities. This qualitative study utilized questionnaires, interviews, and participant …

Profilicity And Self-Identity: Finding One’S Authentic Self Within A Social Media-Filtered World, Stacey Renee Meads

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological qualitative case study explored how young Christian adults construct their identities when influenced by external factors such as social media using the theoretical framework of profilicity. The study took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The location was a church setting, the mainstay of the youth adult group activities, and the site was approved to conduct the case study. The participant group was the young adult group. The church is the mainstay for all the participants. Designated rooms were identified to permit anonymity and confidentiality. No other meetings or church activities were scheduled during the allotted times for this case …

Relationship Of Religiosity And Depression And Anxiety Of K-12th Grade Educators, Melissa Christian Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

As more people suffer from a decline in mental health, the education profession is especially vulnerable to anxiety and depression. K-12th grade teachers face a plethora of job-related stressors that impact their mental health, which often affects the quality of education and student outcomes. Public school teachers face the daily challenge of managing student behavior, responding to parent, community, and administrator demands, high-stakes testing, and the responsibility of designing rigorous lessons. They must face these challenges while balancing personal stressors such as financial struggles with minimal pay. Additionally, teachers’ mental health influences the culture and climate of the school environment …

School Counselors’ Lived Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Katie M. Guzman Dunn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand how school counselor perceptions of their roles may have been permanently impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) Ecological Systems Theory, which relates to the interactions of an individual and the environment around them, guided the study. The study’s central research was: What are public school counselors’ lived experiences regarding their role perception during the COVID-19 pandemic? Data was collected through virtual semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation with 10 school counselors who were members of the Kentucky School Counselor Association. The data collected from the interviews was analyzed using bracketing to …

Evaluating The Influence Of Self-Determination In Secondary Writing Instruction On Post-Secondary Academic Success, Mary A. Peach Partridge

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to discover what components of secondary education writing instruction develop adequate self-determination for post-secondary academic writing success for first year university students at Central midwestern metropolitan area universities. The theory guiding this study was Ryan and Deci’s Self-Determination Theory as it connects the idea of developing adequate relatedness, competence, and autonomy with successful development of critical thinking and social cognitive skills for success beyond secondary education. The Central Research Question asked, “what methods of secondary writing instruction adequately develop self-determination for first year university students in the Central midwestern metropolitan area to enable …

The Use Of An Online Orientation At A For-Profit Higher Education Institution To Support And Retain Online Adult Learners: A Qualitative Case Study, Logan Robb

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative holistic case study was to explore how support staff, faculty, and online adult learners at a FPHEI located in Pennsylvania perceive the use of an online orientation as a proactive institutional support strategy to increase the preparedness of online adult learners and potentially improve their retention rates. The theory guiding this study was Tinto’s theory of student departure. The central research question that was guiding this study was: How do support staff, faculty, and online adult learners at one FPHEI perceive the effectiveness of an online orientation as a proactive institutional support strategy to enhance …

The Differences In Emotional Intelligence Within Schools That Have Adopted Glasser’S Choice Theory: A Causal-Comparative Analysis, Leaja Hartman Horne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if statistically significant differences exist in the emotional intelligence (EI) of students in classrooms that have adopted Glasser’s choice theory (CT) compared to schools that have not (NCT). CT, the guiding theory, defines social-emotional learning (SEL) practices and seeks to improve relationships, internal locus of control, and motivation while fostering an engaged learning environment. Research clarifies the need for social-emotional health to support academic achievement; however, the specifics of these relationships require further clarification. The participants were a convenience sample of 59 private and public elementary school students from North …

Grading Of Discussion Boards In Asynchronous Higher Education Courses And Its Effect On Social Presence: A Causal-Comparative Study, Heather Ann Hanson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative, non-experimental study was to determine if the grading methods of discussion board assignments in asynchronous courses affect the students’ perceived social presence. Social presence is one of the three factors of the Community of Inquiry (COI) that play a role in supporting the learning experience. The target population was graduate students in asynchronous online education courses. A sample of 92 students were surveyed from five institutions using the Community of Inquiry (COI) survey. They were placed in three groups based on the grading methods of discussion board assignments. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) …

An Intrinsic Case Study Examining Strategies Used By Stakeholders To Handle Inappropriate Behaviors And Teach Self-Regulation To Elementary Students With Moderate To Profound Exceptionalities, Holly May Buckner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to discover strategies stakeholders use to handle inappropriate behaviors and teach self-regulation to elementary students with moderate to profound exceptionalities. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s social cognitive theory, which emphasizes self-regulation. The social cognitive theory applies to this study because teaching students how to overcome behavioral impulses facilitates learning. The relationship between self-regulation and the focus of this study was to expose the different techniques for handling inappropriate behaviors and instilling self-discipline and coping skills in elementary-aged children with moderate to profound exceptionalities. This study included 13 stakeholders: three parents …

Lgb Sexual Minorities And Parental Disclosure, Robyn D. Brian

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, collective case study is to explore how sexual minorities are making parental disclosure decisions in the United States. The theories guiding this study are Minority Stress Theory with theorist Illan Meyer, as well as Family Systems Theory with Murray Bowen, as they explain the relationship between sexual minority stress experienced by sexual minorities while looking at how that impacts the entire family unit during the disclosure process. Data was collected with semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results found that one’s future plans and next steps in life were the motivating factor for sexual …

The Relationship Between Parental Engagement And Student Hope In Adolescent Students: A Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, Monique Danielle Ray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, predictive, correlational study aims to determine the influence of parental engagement, comprised of its multiple individual factors, on psychological hope in adolescent students. The importance of this study is grounded in the development of national programs such as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which seeks to support the family-school relationship as a critical component in student success and in the research literature that strongly links parental engagement to student academic achievement and social outcomes essential to children’s educational attainment. In this study, 112 students were randomly selected from two schools. Parents completed an anonymous, digital version of the …

Academic Performance, Violent Community Crimes, And Socioeconomic Status Of Chicago Public Schools' Students: A Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Bria Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe how community violence and low socioeconomic status influence the academic achievement gap among minority students at Chicago Public Schools. The theory guiding this study is Ogbu's theory as it relates to how forces within the community influence the academic performance of minority students. The research study addresses the following central research question: How do the experiences of marginalized students influence their academic performance? The methodology used includes individual interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts. Based on the analysis of interviews, focus groups, and journal responses from the 12 participants, four major …

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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

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

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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

At-Risk Students' Perceptions Of Holistic Advising: A Phenomenological Study, Jonathan David Broyles

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand at-risk students’ perceptions of success after having received holistic advising practices at public, four-year universities located in the Southeast United States. The theory that guided this study was Maslow’s Theory of Human Motivation, which emphasizes the importance of addressing students’ academic, social, personal, physiological, safety, and emotional needs to support their academic success better. The Central Research Question was: what are at-risk students’ perceptions of success after receiving holistic advising practices? The transcendental phenomenological approach allowed the researcher to explore the phenomenon with others who have experienced the same phenomenon through …

The Impact Of Implementing A House System At East Richland Christian Schools: A Dissertation-In-Praxis, Travis Johnson Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis examines the implementation of a House System at East Richland Christian Schools (ERCS), a private Grades 7-12 institution in Saint Clairsville, Ohio, to address deficiencies in the traditional small group model, including limited student engagement, leadership development, spiritual growth, and school spirit. Grounded in Burns’ (1978) Transformational Leadership Theory and biblical principles, the study replaced gradeand gender-segregated groups with four randomized, co-ed houses (Amare, Fidem, Spero, Veritas) for 50 students and eight teachers. The project aimed to create a spirited Christian community through weekly competitions, leadership opportunities, and spiritual activities. Using a mixed-methods approach under the Stake Model, …

The Lived Experiences Of Work-Based Learning Program Teachers Working With Students With Disabilities: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Carlos Demond Gartrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of high school educators in placing students with disabilities (SWD) in work-based learning (WBL) programs in southeastern Georgia. The central question is what are the experiences of high school teachers who implement work-based learning programs for students with disabilities? Social cognitive theory (SCT) was used to understand the influence of social determinants on individuals with disabilities in a work-based learning environment. Transcendental design brought an added dimension to the study of human experiences through qualitative research. Moustakas’ modification of the Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method of phenomenological analysis is used …

Nursing Faculty Perspectives On Students With Learning Disabilities: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Marlies Aanensen Hébert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to record the lived experiences of nursing faculty perspectives of students with learning disabilities in all learning environments. The theories that provide the framework for the study are John Dewey’s theory of education and Malcolm Knowles’ theory of adult learning. Both theories establish a foundation for understanding the challenges faced by adult learners with learning disabilities and how to offer effective support. The research question is: What are the lived experiences of nurse educators working with students with learning disabilities in all learning environments? The study employed a snowball sampling method to …

Investigating Faculty, Students, And Diversity Officers' Attitudes Towards Cultural Diversity: A Causal-Comparative Study, Kerry Simmons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study is to investigate the difference in cultural competence scores among students, faculty, and diversity officers who participated in cultural competence training and those who did not. Research on diversity has seldom examined the effectiveness of cultural competence training on attitudes toward cultural diversity. The study participants (n = 411) were undergraduate students, n = 148, faculty, n = 129, and diversity officers, n = 134) from 4-year private non-profit universities in the Northeastern United States. The present study employed critical race theory to explore the effectiveness of cultural competence training programs and assess …

Preservice Teacher Preparedness To Teach In The Inclusive Classroom Setting: A Hermeneutical Phenomenological Study, Jessica Malter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutical phenomenological study was to understand how teacher preparation programs provided experiences with inclusive practice coursework for novice (no more than three years of experience) special education and general education teachers working with students with disabilities in the inclusive classroom setting at K-12 schools in Southwestern Missouri. The theory guiding this study was the Self-determination Theory (SDT) by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan, as it focused on the social conditions that could allow for or hinder the flourishing of an individual. The central research question guiding this study was: How have teacher preparation programs provided experiences …

Exploring The Silent Suffering Of Male Survivors Of Sexual Assault: A Phenomenological Study, Donna Erica Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the obscure traumatic experiences, challenges, and perceptions that confront adult men in North Carolina suffering in silence as a response to their childhood sexual abuse experiences. The theory guiding this study was the hegemonic masculinity theory, which explains how masculinity has been culturized to create patriarchal systems. One central research question and three research sub-questions were answered. The central research question was, what is the lived experience of male survivors of sexual trauma? The research sub-questions were: What are the effects of the abuse experience on the mental and psychological well-being …

Lead Pastor Stress: A Quantitative Study Of The Effects On Mental Health, Marriage, Family, And The Church, Sherri Lee Bergeron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The church’s lead pastor has many roles and responsibilities, from teaching the Word of the Lord, baptisms, counseling sessions, and leading a staff. These are not the lead pastor’s only role; the majority also have a family, children, and a spouse at home who also need their attention. A balance must be considered between the ministry, family, and marriage. If this balance is off or the pastor becomes overwhelmed with any or all the three, their mental health may suffer and can cause depression and anxiety if not dealt with appropriately (Christianity Today, 2022). Lead pastors, while in ministry, have …

A Phenomenological Study Of Principals' Perceptions Of Principal Preparation Programs, Jennifer Gael Wiese

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand participants’ lived experiences in Principal Preparation Programs (PPPs) and their perceptions of how these programs prepared them for their roles as educational leaders in a public school district in the western United States. The lived experience is generally defined as the participants’ experiences, options, and choices and the influence these have on the participants’ perception of knowledge and education related to educational leadership. The historical, social, and theoretical context of principal preparation was highlighted in the introduction. A systematic literature review was conducted to explore issues in principal preparation. The focus …

A Qualitative Study Of How Instructional Leaders Describe The Actions And Reflections Of Organizational Management, Ashli Bachmeier

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the influence of organizational management on the actions and decision-making of instructional leaders in Title I secondary schools in Nevada. The theory guiding this study was Argyris and Schön’s theory of practice, which states that human beings generally need to become competent by adopting a theory of action and then reflecting on this action to learn from it. This study's theory of practice aligns with the role of instructional leaders in shaping organizational management through actions and reflections. This study employed a phenomenological approach and qualitative research methods focusing on …

The Relationship Of Christian Spirituality And Sustained Recovery From Trauma-Related Substance Addiction, Carol Beatrice Bradley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation contains information regarding research that has been done on integrating spirituality into addiction recovery and trauma recovery. Research shows a strong relationship between addiction and trauma experiences and that when recovery counselors integrate spirituality into recovery the chances of relapse decrease. There is a need for additional research and education for recovery counselors and the support systems that help people to recover from addiction. This can help lead people to a life with purpose to prevent further addiction, relapse, overdose, and death. There has been some research that shows that integrating Christianity into recovery can help increase the …

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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

Educational Leadership And Advocacy For Change: A Historical Examination Of Georgia State Superintendents’ Reporting And Public Education Reform (1933–1977), Benjamin Isaac Casado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the role of Georgia’s State Superintendents of Schools in shaping public education from 1933 to 1977, a period marked by profound social, economic, and political change. Focusing on the tenures of Dr. Mauney Douglass Collins, Dr. Claude Lamar Purcell, and Dr. Jack P. Nix, it explores how these leaders utilized the Georgia Department of Education reports to the General Assembly to advocate for legislative reforms and address the evolving educational challenges of their respective eras.

Through a detailed analysis of these reports, this study uncovers the superintendents’ strategies, priorities, and policy recommendations, shedding light on their leadership …

A Quantitative Casual-Comparative Study To Determine The Difference In Perception Of Inclusive Education Among Teachers In Preschool, Elementary And Middle School, Boimah G. Sayway

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, causal-comparative research examines differences in Teacher Efficacy for Inclusive Practices (TEIP) scores based on perceptions of inclusive education among preschool, elementary, and middle school teachers. The study involved a survey of 450 teachers from three districts in a large Eastern city in the U.S., yielding 159 responses, which surpasses the minimum sample size of 126. Researchers assessed teachers' self-efficacy in inclusive instruction, collaboration, and behavior management using the TEIP scale, analyzing the data with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and a One-Way ANOVA. There was a statistically significant difference found between preschool and both elementary …

Teacher Learning Communities: A Qualitative Case Study Of Professional Development In Special Education, Tiffany D. Rowland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to discover the collaboration in teacher learning communities (TLCs) to support the growth of students with disabilities for special education teachers at a middle school in South Georgia. The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky’s social constructivism theory as it strongly emphasizes the social nature of learning and the influence of cultural context. Individuals construct knowledge through interactions with others, and the cultural environment within TLCs significantly influences professional development. This study employed a single case study design to explore how 10 special education professionals collaborate within TLCs to promote inclusive learning …