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Serious Fun: The Perceived Influences of Improvisational Acting on Community College Students
Ruth H. Yamamoto
Theatrical improvisation lacks investigation within higher education. The findings from this phenomenological study of seven students from a Mid- Atlantic community college lend credibility to other research supporting arts and extracurricular activities and provide insights into what they value in their educational experience. Positive social change can come from providing students with an education that includes fun, creativity, and socialization for a successful future.
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Multilingual Multicultural Multimedia: Transforming Higher Education Through Transdisciplinary Action Research Projects
Melda N. Yildiz
Situated within the context of higher education, this study outlines of use of participatory action research in developing global competencies, critical thinking, and 21st-century skills among students and showcases their transformative, inclusive, multilingual, multicultural research projects across content areas. This participatory action research study aims to advance scientific knowledge of transformative critical pedagogy as a means to promote heutagogy through the lens of innovative technologies in a global education context while redefining education and developing a “transformative educator model.”
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Knowledge Management and Innovation on Firm Performance of United States Ship Repair
Cynthia Jane Young
Labor forces continue to decrease in the United States. If the ship repair industry’s leadership does not incorporate knowledge sharing and innovation into business practices, knowledge will be lost resulting in decreasing performance. This was a study to determine if there was a correlation between knowledge management, innovation, and firm performance. Knowledge was found as more influential than innovation in predicting firm performance.
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Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors of Diabetes Among Afro-Caribbeans Living Near Brooklyn
Sophia I. Allen
Literature has found Afro-Caribbeans with diabetes have a negative perception of medical professionals. Using a cross-sectional design, Afro-Caribbeans with type 2 diabetes were recruited across 7 churches to determine whether shared knowledge and beliefs about diabetes screening and complications exist and whether they would attend a workshop at their church.
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Social Intelligence of Undergraduates Enrolled in Traditional vs. Distance Higher Education Learning Programs
Boderick Bennett
Many academics, policy makers, and laypeople remain concerned that distance education can adversely affect one’s social development. The purpose of this quantitative study was to test that concern by comparing the social intelligence of distance undergraduates with the social intelligence of traditional undergraduates.
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School Leaders’ Perceptions of Students’ Antisocial Behaviors
Faye Britt
This qualitative case study sought to understand school leaders’ perceptions of students’ ability to manage their behavior. This understanding provided insight into the barriers to addressing the problem and suggested a potential solution for increasing academic success. The recommended job-embedded professional development training might help increase the capacity of the school leaders to manage students’ antisocial behaviors.
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Effect of Employee’s Life Events on Organizational Withdrawal Behaviors
Anthony H. Brown
Research on the impact of employees’ life events as possible effects on organizational withdrawal behaviors (OWBs) unveiled that employees’ personal distractions ultimately could lead them to voluntary or involuntary turnover. Employees’ better health and economic status were factors that impacted employees' currently working.
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Using Grounded Action to Address Student Needs in the CIA/RLL Ed.D Doctoral Programs at Walden University
Debra Chester, Michelle Olsen, and Karen Wiggins
The success of any university is its ability to retain and promote its students from student admission to graduation. A grounded theory (GT) study was conducted investigating the experiences of new doctoral students at Walden University in 2013. The purpose of this study was to understand the new student experience which resulted in a (GT) that accounted for the main concerns of the doctoral student participants. The emergent core variable for the study was weighing in, a process that includes orienting, equipping, considering, and jumping in. Grounded action (GA) was applied using the explanatory theory of weighing in for mitigating student related issues throughout the CIA/RLL programs. Several action initiatives and a strategic plan were developed to address these concerns using the theory of weighing in. The impact of this study will impact training and support of Walden’s full and part-time contributing faculty and shape student services, instruction, and support.
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Downsizing the United States Air Force Security Forces: A Phenomenological Investigation
Winell de Mesa
The United States Air Force has downsized an average of 10,000 personnel each year from 1990 to 2010. Despite this the mission remains the same, which causes an increase in workload to the remaining airmen. The results can be used by all leadership facing budgetary constraints and technology upgrades.
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Community College Developmental Education Services: Perspectives of Spanish-Speaking Latino Early Childhood Educators
John Edward Eberly
The purpose of this single case study was to understand the perceptions of Latino Spanish-speaking English learners on the efficacy of developmental education services at a western United States community college. Research questions focused on how the developmental education services contributed to the successful completion of the child development practicum for Latino Spanish-speaking English learners. The primary data collection method was in-depth individual interviews of a purposeful sample of nine successful students. Findings indicated that participants relied on Spanish instruction for comprehensible context, but needed consistent education support services and information from a culturally responsive institution in a language they understood.
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The Relationship of Mental Health Agency Productivity Standards With Marriage and Family Therapist Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intent
Gilbert E. Franco
A quantitative study investigated how productivity standards were related to self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and marriage and family therapist (MFT) turnover intent. The results show that productivity standards predict turnover intent, mediated by job self-efficacy and job satisfaction. It was found that productivity predicts job satisfaction, mediated by job self-efficacy.
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Administrative Effectiveness and Public Administration Practice in Midwestern State Employment Agencies
Kathleen A. Frederick Dr.
Researchers have examined the multiple dimensions of unemployment. Performance rates had declined significantly in a majority of CR 5 states in the 3-year period, 2007-2009. What was not known, however, was the effectiveness of the public administration practice in individual state employment agencies when addressing the economic crisis and rising unemployment. In this evaluative study, the effectiveness of each of 10 state employment agencies in the Central Region 5 of the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration was investigated.
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The Impact of the Strong Start Program on Student Outcomes in Developmental College Courses
Nichole Gibbs Thomas
Using the four-Cs framework, the Strong Start Program was developed and implemented at a twoyear public community college to increase developmental course pass rates. There was a statistically significant difference (z = 1.93, p < .05) in the proportion of students who passed Strong Start supported courses (68.43%; n = 199) and students who passed traditional developmental courses (59.46%, n = 231).
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Associations Among Ethnicity, Gender, Age, Age of First Drink, and Drinking Behavior Among High School Students
ricky gujral
Moderation management theory was employed to assess whether gender, ethnicity, age, and age of first drink were associated with drinking among adolescents. The statistically significant model distinguished between adolescents who reported moderate versus binge drinking. Age of first drink made a statistically significant main effect contribution to the model.
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Networking the Relationships of Microenterprise Development in Bulgaria
Kristina Harris
In 1989, the microfinance industry was first established in Bulgaria. With a significant population living at or below the poverty line, the rural areas of Bulgaria lack economic development and job growth. This qualitative case study explored strategies that microenterprise development (MED) leaders utilize to help sustain small business leaders in Bulgaria.
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Reading Specialist’s Perceptions and Roles in Implementing Response to Intervention
Twyla Heindl
The roles of reading specialists differ from campus to campus throughout the study site due to varied implementations of Response to Intervention (RTI). To ensure that students were receiving consistent interventions based on their needs, the site needed to examine how and when instructional services were delivered to struggling students, as well as the role of the reading specialist in the process.
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The Effects of Certified Nurse Assistants’ Socialization, Onboarding, and Turnover
Dorothy Henry
Drawing from social identity theory, this study investigated certified nurse assistant’s perceived belongingness, attachment to their organizations, and intentions to leave their jobs. Healthcare reform was the public policy guiding this study. Our findings indicated affective commitment to the organization partially mediated the relationship between organizational identification and turnover intentions.
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Development and Validation of the Body Knowledge Questionnaire
David A. Hernandez and Cheri Ann Hernandez
This study evaluated the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of a new instrument,the Body Knowledge Questionnaire(BKQ), which measures weight management integration—an individual’s attitudes, preferences, and behaviors associated with weight management. The BKQ has potential for use in weight management practice areas to ameliorate the global obesity problem.
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The Experience of Weight Management in Normal-and Obese-Weight Adults
David A. Hernandez, Cheri Ann Hernandez, Chris M. Wellington, and Arthur Kidd
This study explored the weight management experiences of normal-and obese-weight adults. Normal-weight adults focus on living while automatically maintaining weight within self-defined limits, whereas obese-weight adults focus on food and their weight. With this knowledge, new dietary, cognitive, and lifestyle weight management strategies can be developed to overcome food-centric, weight-promoting influences.
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The Burden of Avian Influenza Viruses in Community Ponds in California
Zin Htway
This research was a baseline study of the proportion of influenza A virus (IAV) in urban and rural communities in California. The population was artificial recirculating water ponds in the geographic locations of rural and urban Californian communities. Surface water samples were collected from artificial recirculating ponds in California.
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The Role of Online College Courses in Rehabilitating Offenders
Niares Hunn
Research and testimonial evidence indicate the importance of postsecondary education in the rehabilitating inmates and in decreasing reoffending. Limited research exists on improving critical thinking skills and cognitive processing among inmates. Results indicated that critical thinking skills improved for all students; there was no significant difference based on incarceration status.
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Assessment and Data-Informed Decision-Making in Preservice Teacher Education
Jennifer Knutson, Stacey Ness, and Lisa Share
The presentation highlights a 2-year study regarding assessment knowledge and data-informed decision making skills of early childhood education (ECE) and special education (SE) preservice teachers. Challenges included internal program and field experience changes, external standards revisions, and obtaining a sizeable sample. Data analysis led to program changes to improve teacher candidate performance.
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Physician Assistants’ Preventive Medicine Practices and Related Habits, Attitudes, and Beliefs
Judia Yael Malachi
Physician assistants are pivotal in expanding access to care, yet research on their preventive medicine practices is limited. This study highlighted physician assistants’ preventive medicine practices and examined the relationship between their practices, personal health habits, prevention and counseling attitudes, and perceived barriers to the delivery of clinical preventive services.
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Technology as a Health Intervention and the Self-Efficacy of Men
Karen Denise Maxwell
Mortality rates are higher for men than women. Limited knowledge exists regarding the specific components needed to design technology health tools to appeal to men. This study examined the relationship between the use of technology health tools and the role of self efficacy in men and participation in healthy lifestyle behaviors.
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The Relationship Between Terrorism, Oil Prices, and Airline Profitability
Ubirathan Miranda
Increase in the price of petroleum and terrorism negatively affect airline profitability. This quantitative study was an exploration of the relationship between terrorism, fuel price, and airline profitability. Airline financial and security archives were the data for this study. Results indicate that terrorism and fuel cost significantly predict profitability.
