Education Commons^™

Effect Of Multiple Simulation Exposures On Nursing Students' Critical Thinking In First Direct Patient Care Practice, Dawn Veltre

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Critical thinking is a core competency essential for nursing practice, and nursing students must develop these skills to become competent nurses. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design is to determine the effect of multiple simulation exposures on nursing students' critical thinking during their first direct patient care practice. A convenience sample of 39 first-year nursing students enrolled in an associate degree nursing program in the western United States participated in this study. Participants completed a demographic survey and the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT) to measure critical thinking skills before multiple simulation exposures, two exposures, or four exposures …

Impact Of Hiv/Aids Stigma On University Students' Education: A Phenomenological Investigation, Ralph Ayuk Etchu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental, phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of 10-12 university students living with HIV/AIDS in the cities of Ndekville, Tontoh, and Kenyang of Southwest Ekong. Goffman’s social stigma theory guided this study and helped operationalize the research questions. The central research question was: What is the impact of HIV/AIDS stigma on the educational journey of university students in Ndekville, Tontoh, and Kenyang of Southwest Ekong? Sub-questions explored categorizing and characterizing participants' experiences and challenges of stigma and discrimination as per sex, gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural background. The researcher collected data through participant interviews, focus …

"It's About Time!" First-Year Generation Z African American Collegiate Male Time Management Practices: A Phenomenological Study, James Delano Payne Douglas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the impact of time management practices on the experiences of academic integration and social integration for first-year Generation Z African American collegiate males. African American collegiate male retention, persistence, and completion rates are lower than those of other higher education demographics. The theory guiding this study was Astin’s (1984, 1999) student involvement theory which hypothesized that student learning and personal growth results from the degree of involvement measured by the amount of time personally invested in the educational process. The central research question is “How do first-year Generation Z …

Educator Self-Efficacy In Implementing College Readiness Curriculum For English Language Learners: A Qualitative Hermeneutical Phenomenology, Emily Rose Munevar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the self-efficacious perspectives integrating college readiness among English Language Learners for K-12 educator professionals at schools in the Southcentral United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, which guides the research by providing the facets of educator self-efficacy that were used to design research and interview questions. Self-efficacy theory breaks down into four parts: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, social persuasion, and physiological feedback. The central research question of this research was: What are the self-efficacious experiences of K-12 educator professionals integrating college readiness for English language learner …

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 …

Dealing With Student Trauma: A Qualitative Case Study, Susan C. Burress

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to explore the emotional and behavioral student support training for K-12 teachers in Kentucky school districts. The central research question was, "What are the experiences of special education teachers when working with students who have emotional and behavioral disabilities?" Maslow's theory on the hierarchy of needs (Maslow, 2011) was used as it explains how the needs of students generated trauma in their lives. A qualitative study was conducted using a sample of teachers in public school settings who have knowledge of and experience with students who have had traumatic experiences. Data were collected …

Exploring The Persistence Experiences Of Ells In Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study, Robert J. Platt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the persistence experiences of undergraduate English Language Learners at a four-year Christian institution in New Jersey. Twelve participants were recruited from various schools within the college. The theory guiding this study was Tinto’s (1975) student integration model specifically examining this idea within the context of academic and social integration. The central research question of this study was, “What are the persistence experiences of English Language Learners at a private four-year institution in New Jersey?” To achieve this, semi-structured interview questions, journaling prompts, and focus groups were used, and data were …

Exploring Lived Experiences Of Teachers Fostering Student Engagement In Classrooms In Government Secondary Schools In The Southwest Region Of Cameroon: A Phenomenological Study, Susan Etchu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of teachers fostering student engagement in classrooms in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. The theory guiding this study was Lev Vygotsky's sociocultural theory of cognitive development as it emphasizes the role of social interaction, cultural context, and language in shaping cognitive development. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of teachers fostering student engagement in their classrooms in the Southwest Region of Cameroon? Data was collected from 13 teachers through interviews, focus groups, and observations. Seven major themes emerged: Impact of Sociopolitical Crisis, Academic …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Exploring The Social Identity Experiences Of Male Teachers Of Color In The Male Scholarship Program, Tamisha Marcena Sales

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the social identity experiences for male teachers of color at the Male Scholarship Program at North Valley University. The theory guiding this study was Tajfel and Turner’s social identity theory, which explained the social cognitive process individuals use to consider joining or exiting a group. Using the social identity theory, this study attempted to answer the central research question: What are the social identity experiences of male teachers of color participating in the Male Scholarship Program? This transcendental phenomenology study used purposeful sampling to recruit participants and collected data through individual …

Teachers' Experiences Of Assessing Elementary Students: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Brittany Nicole Dawson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study examines teachers’ experiences assessing elementary students in Southeastern North Carolina. This study is based on constructivist theory. Constructivism, with its collaborative founders, is a theory that focuses on the learner making meaning based on their experiences. This theory, though considered a learning theory, is imperative to this study as it helps to frame how educators make meaning from their experiences of assessing elementary students. The theory’s tenets create a guide for the mission of the study and form the research questions to be addressed. This is a qualitative phenomenological study. A qualitative design is based …

Exploring The Administrator's Role In Regulating Personal Devices In The Classroom: A Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Hope Faith Heard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the phenomenological study is to explore the autonomy of developing school site personal device regulations for K-12 administrators in central Indiana. The study is guided by Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory (SDT), which contributed positive results that support administrators’ autonomy and competence. The study’s findings have had a profound influence on K-12 education. The theory uncovered informative, reflective writing that administrators conducted, which involved introspective analysis of their decisions and actions, such as student confidence, satisfaction, and ability to learn using their devices. This study has the potential to improve the learning experience for students in the …

Addressing Subjective Reasoning Through Renewed Pathways: Church Discipline, Anthony F. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Skyline Baptist Church adopts a subjective approach to the removal of members through its church discipline process. This means that decisions regarding church discipline and the removal of members are not strictly governed by objective doctrine or biblical alignment but are instead influenced by individual circumstances and the specific context of outside influence. This project seeks to establish objective measures grounded in scriptural understanding, promoting biblical alignment and mutual accountability within the congregation. The existing research provides valuable insights that contribute to the broader Christian mission; it aims to cultivate a more united and devoted commitment that reflects the teachings …

Building Anti-Racist Teacher Education, Kel Nemetz

Masters Projects

Preschool through twelfth grade education in the United States is ever evolving and has always been influenced by socio-political context. Throughout history, the goals, methods, and values of public education have shifted depending on political ideologies and influence. This thesis acknowledges the major significance and impact decisions like these can make on our students in PK-12 schools and on the educators who teach them, while centering the importance of anti-racism as a foundational goal. Despite the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion political campaign lead by Trump’s second administration to try to dismantle all DEI efforts in PK-12 schools and beyond, this …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 Case Study On Successful Post Secondary Transition For Individuals With Disabilities, Junie Louis-Jean

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this single case study was to explore the transitional experiences of employed adults with disabilities who graduated from high school in New York. Bronfenbrenner’s social ecological theory supported the exploration of how the community and school environments influence the employability of students with disabilities as they transition to the work environment. The central question of the study was “How do high school graduates with disabilities describe their experiences of transitioning from school to the workplace?” The participants in this qualitative single case study were 10 teacher’s aides who had been high school students with disabilities at the …

A Causal-Comparative Study: Teacher Efficacy With Students With Autism, Natasha Cassidy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study is to compare teacher self-efficacy among elementary, middle, and high school teachers of students with autism. Self-efficacy in teaching is the unwavering belief that a teacher can deliver highly effective instruction to foster positive learning outcomes in students with autism. Teachers confident in their abilities to accommodate the needs of students with autism can provide the necessary support, adjust their teaching methods, and create learning opportunities that promote the development of essential skills. The sample size included elementary, middle, and high school teachers from public schools across the northwest region of the United …

Uncovering The Essence Of Teachers’ Influence On High School Mathematics Instruction In The Northern United States School Districts: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Jim Mchenn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand and describe the lived experiences of high school mathematics teachers in the Northeast United States, focusing on how their backgrounds, education, and personal attitudes shaped their teaching practices and influenced students' academic performance in mathematics. The study was guided by Bandura's social learning theory, which emphasizes learning through observation of behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes. The central research question was: How do the diverse backgrounds, educational experiences, professional development, and personal attitudes of high school mathematics teachers in select school districts across the Northern United States influence students' academic performance, as …

Teacher Perceptions On The Influence Of Note-Taking In The Military-Connected Middle School Classroom, Lauren Mullen Evans

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the influence of note-taking strategies on student writing for teachers in the military-connected middle school classroom. The guiding theories for this study were Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of cognitive development and its influence on note-taking instruction and student writing in the military-connected middle school classroom. The central question for the study stated: What are teachers’ perceptions regarding the influence note-taking strategies have on writing in the military-connected middle school classroom? The participants were middle school teachers with at least three years of experience teaching in military-connected middle school classrooms. Participants had …

The Impact Of Childhood Sexual Abuse On The Overall Well-Being Of White, Christian Female Survivors: A Phenomenology, Tassanee Sanchez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the impact that childhood sexual abuse has on the biopsychosocial-spiritual health of White, Christian female survivors. The study revolved around three main research questions: (1) How do participants describe their lived experiences and articulate their understanding of the phenomenon of CSA? Participants described their lived experiences as a painful experience of betrayal. Surprisingly, the betrayal came not only from the perpetrator, but also from those close to the survivor who they trusted to protect them. (2) How do participants describe the impact CSA has on their biopsychosocial-spiritual well-being in adulthood? Participants …

Exploring Clergy's Use Of Suicide Risk Factor Knowledge: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Matilda Swanson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study explored clergy members’ understanding of mental health literacy in relations to suicide risk factors and the interventions they used to prevent suicidality among congregants in Central Florida. Guided by Anthony Jorm’s mental health literacy theory, the study explored clergy members’ understanding of mental health literacy related to their knowledge of suicide risk factors and interventions they use to address suicide risk among church congregants. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews and two focus groups. A total of 14 clergy members participated in the study. The findings were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis, leading …

A Quantitative Causal-Comparative Study Of Occupational Self-Efficacy Beliefs For Acquisition Professionals After Completing Professional Credentials Designed For The Knowledge Or Performance Dimension, Carla A. Goger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study is to explore the impact between credential programs designed for the knowledge or performance dimension and whether there is a difference in how those designs affect defense acquisition professionals’ occupational self-efficacy beliefs and whether the years of professional experience affect those results. This study endeavors to contribute to the field of education by shedding light on the relationship between the design of professional credential programs and occupational self-efficacy beliefs within the approximate 19,000 members of the defense acquisition workforce who have attained a credential since 2019. The occupational self-efficacy short-form (OSS-6) questionnaire was …

A Phenomenological Inquiry Exploring The Perception Of Self-Efficacy Amongst Colorado High School English Teachers Incorporating Classroom Technology Use, Barbara Miguelgorry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of self-efficacy of high school English teachers in Colorado as they experienced a phenomenon of rapidly increased use of classroom technology. High school English teachers’ perceptions were generally defined as how effective they felt in their teaching practices and pedagogical approaches as they incorporated increased use of classroom technology, including their perceptions of the use of classroom technology’s influence on their confidence and self-esteem in the classroom. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy (1977). The central research question for this study was: How has …

Investigating Christian Counselors' Emphasis On Marriage Vows As A Sacred Covenant In Premarital Counseling, Lovie J. Faine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (King James Bible, 2017; Proverbs 11:14). This proverb suggests that counsel can provide a level of security. Premarital counsel is a type of provisional assistance and guidance sought by couples seeking to shelter and strengthen their union. Within the church pastors and elders often provide Christian counseling to congregants for various reasons, including premarital counseling. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to discover pastors and elders that operate as Christian counselors’ emphasis on marriage vows as a sacred covenant within …

The Army Cadet Experience Related To Confidence And Their Training: A Phenomenological Study, Michael J. Centola

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of ROTC cadets related to their preparation for Cadet Summer Training (CST). The theory guiding this study was John Sweller’s cognitive load theory. The current problem is that cadets have minimal opportunities to become proficient in certain hands-on skills taught within the ROTC curriculum prior to their assessment at CST. Because of this, some cadets seem to lack confidence in their abilities prior to CST adding onto their cognitive load. Through the utilization of transcendental phenomenology to understand the firsthand accounts of the cadets after they underwent CST, the …

Are We Ready? A Phenomenological Study On Teachers' Perceptions Surrounding Readiness To Teach Diverse Communities And The Responsibility Of Teacher Preparation Programs, Ja'niece Tiara Whitehead

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover teachers’ lived experiences in their teacher education programs in regard to levels of preparedness to effectively teach racially, linguistically, and gender-diverse students. The theory guiding this study was Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), which refers to teaching students customs, characteristics, experiences, and perspectives as tools to enhance instruction and understanding of the complexities of society as well as the awareness that students dwell in varying circumstances. The central question directing this research study asked, “What are the lived experiences of teachers and their teacher education programs with diverse communities?” Participants of …

A Quasi-Experimental Non-Equivalent Control Group Study Of The Efficacy Of An Academic Habits Course On Middle School Students’ Executive Function, Leslie Anne M Mccoy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental, nonequivalent pretest-post-test control group study was to examine the efficacy of executive function training through scaffolded instruction on the executive function skillset between sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students enrolled in an academic habits course versus those who are not enrolled in an academic habits course at a middle school located in the southeastern United States. While former studies contributed to the literature on the trainability of the executive function skills of middle school students within the clinical setting, this study contributes to the current literature on the trainability of the executive function skills of …

Teachers' Experiences Implementing Reading Interventions In Middle Schools: Phenomenology Study, Tammy J. Padalino

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the experiences of middle school teachers implementing reading interventions in southeastern Virginia. The theory that guided this study was Knowles’ theory on adult learning as it identifies and pertains to the approaches for adult learning as teachers learn best practices to implement reading interventions in their classrooms. 10 teachers described their experiences implementing reading interventions by creating a timeline, participating in a one-on-one interview, and responding to journal prompts. Data were collected and organized using a coding system. Codes were assigned based on similarities and emerging themes. Then, data were …