-
International Internet Access Levels and Student Implications
Eric Youn
International students may face challenges in performance and in participation if Internet access levels in their country of residence are low. Using the viewpoint of the Internet as a utility, the study reviewed historical utility provisions to developing countries. This information will be further analyzed to create proposals to increase Internet access for international students and their communities.
-
Dr. William Gorgas and his Management Style in the Eradication of Yellow Fever during the Panama Canal Construction: A Historical Case Study
Faisal H. Aboul-Enein
This study describes the style of management of Dr. William Gorgas as he led the public health effort to reduce diseases to a level that permitted the completion of the Panama Canal construction. Initially, Gorgas was skeptical of the mosquito vector theory. He fully accepted this theory after participating in Walter Reed's massive cleanup of Havana, Cuba during the Spanish American War of 1898. During 1905 to 1914, Gorgas was selected to lead the sanitary effort during the construction of the Panama Canal. The lessons learned from this historical case study provide public health administrators with guidance to effectively lead current and future infectious diseases threats. Understanding styles of management within the context of disease control is essential in tackling epidemics like yellow fever and other infectious diseases.
-
Performance Prediction of Commodity Prices Using Foreign Exchange Futures
Yisa Ajao
In an experimental quantitative research design, data from the Futures Market for commodities and foreign exchange futures covering 1986-2011 were obtained and addressed. A General Regression Neural Network was overlaid on this data to deduce a time-series prediction model for wheat prices. Performance prediction error was only 4.42%.
-
Aligning Financial Strategy with Customer Categorization based on Environmental Scanning
Timothy Osita Anyiwe
A qualitative multiple-case study about strategies needed to align financial strategy with customer oriented practices. Interview data from 30 personnel of 2 retail businesses were coded and analyzed. Emerging themes included planning, customer supremacy, viability, and clarity. Implications for positive social change included impetus for economic stability and prosperity of society.
-
Information Sharing Among Public Safety Agencies
Vinyl Baker
During the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster failures in communications and information sharing occurred among public safety agencies. These communication problems led to the loss of lives, the destruction of property, and the delay of timely medical assistance. Results indicated that while standard operating procedures have changed since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster, there is still a need for greater emphasis in regards to training, interoperability, and shared resources among public safety agencies
-
The Effect of Parental Participation on the Academic Achievement of Female English as a Second Language Middle School Students in the Persian Gulf
Nada I. Baydoun
A quantitative correlational study explored the relationship between parental participation and academic achievement. Data were collected from 42 parents of female ESL students in the Persian Gulf region. Although results indicated a non-significant correlation between reported parental involvement and students’ academic averages overall, it found significant correlation for a sub-sample of Saudi parents.
-
Development of a Servant Leadership Questionnaire
Michelle M. Burcin and Harold R. Griffin
The United States of America is in the midst of a leadership crisis with leaders putting their self-interest above that of their stakeholders. Servant Leadership is a perceived solution, but lacks empirical support. The researchers will develop a multidimensional instrument using Spears’10 constructs of Servant Leadership and exploratory factorial analysis (EFA). This study may shape the future of leadership training and development and support good decision-making.
-
The Relationship Between Reading Ability and Standards-Based Mathematics Achievement
Tarchell P. Caruthers
A sequential mixed methods study examined the relationship between reading ability and standards-based mathematics achievement. Hypotheses were tested using archived SRI and GCRCT data taken from 279 sixth grade students and four teacher interviews. Results indicated that reading ability had a statistically significant relationship with standards-based mathematics achievement.
-
Consumer Satisfaction With Gluten-Free Yeast-Raised Doughnuts for Commercial Production
Kevin Thomas Cavanagh
The demand for gluten-free baked goods has been growing. Currently the baking industry has been unable to produce a yeast-raised gluten-free doughnut to meet this demand. This study tested one formula, and sought to discover the feasibility. Research into gluten-free baked goods offers celiac suffers more versatility in their diet.
-
A Case Study of Primary Healthcare Services in Isu, Nigeria
Raymond O. Chimezie Dr.
This qualitative community-based study explored the perceptions of residents, healthcare providers and administrators regarding community access to healthcare. Data were collected through focus group and personal interviews with 27 participants. Results indicated inadequate funding, poor facilities, absence of a doctor (s), and shortages of drugs as limiting access to healthcare.
-
Exploring Knowledge Sharing in the Department of Defense
Melissa Ann Connell
A phenomenological study using Nonaka and Takeuchi’s socialization, externalization, combination, and internalization (SECI) model explored the organized, continual method of tacit-to-explicit knowledge theory for organizational knowledge creation. Twenty participants shared their lived experiences in semi-structured interviews. Ten primary themes emerged, with results indicating the foundation for supporting the knowledge sharing process.
-
Local Impacts of Walden Ed.D. Project Study Capstones
Paul Englesberg
The perceived impact and potential impact of Walden University Ed.D. project study capstones on educational improvement in K-12, higher education and community settings were investigated through a field-based case study and a document analysis of 169 projects completed between 2009 and 2013.
-
Students’ Reactions to the Use of Animals as Instructional Tools for Science
Vickie Gurzau
Teaching science to students with special needs requires different approaches. The purpose of this study: to provide a formative program evaluation documenting students’ reactions to the use of animals as instructional tools for science. Students with disabilities were scoring lower than those students without disabilities. It was conjectured that delivering science in a hands-on environment using animals would increase student interest to learn science and provide an alternative and effective way to meet teaching standards in science and tap into students’ natural curiosity and interest in the world around them.
-
Student Engagement and Academic Performance of Iraqi Refugee Community College Students in America
Lucinda Scheidt Hollands
The framework of culturally relevant pedagogy was used to explore how Iraqi refugee students defined academic success, described their optimal learning environment, and remained engaged in college despite cultural differences. Knowledge gained through this research encourages positive social change to embrace diversity and help newcomers adapt to American educational systems.
-
Exploring Deliberative Democracy: Tribal Membership Meetings Under Indian Reorganization Act Constitutions
Jo Anne House
This was a qualitative study of deliberation and participation in a tribal government setting. The results of this study identified high levels of deliberation and participation with a need to focus on improving the aspect of showing respect towards others. Improving deliberation can result in a more networked community, identification of a greater number of solutions, and greater acceptance of the solution selected.
-
Men Who Have Sex with Men and Use of an In Home HIV Test
Richard Jimenez
The authors will examine Men Who Have Sex with Men’s (MSM ) knowledge, attitudes, and utilization patterns of a new rapid in home HIV test. Data will be collected via a focus group interview session of MSM ages 18-21 recruited from the Houston, Texas metropolitan area with the assistance of a community research collaborator partner, the Montrose Center.
-
Barriers to Successful Entrepreneurship for Women in Ukraine
John Johnson
Ukraine is an Eastern European country of about 50 million people with a well-educated and skilled labor force. After Ukraine declared its independence from the former Soviet Union it made real progress in shifting towards a free-market economy and democratization. However, many critical problems still remain to be solved. Among them, women in business in Ukraine cope with stereotypes and other issues which often create insurmountable obstacles toward the success of their business endeavors.
-
Leadership Strategies and Initiatives for Combating Medicaid Fraud and Abuse
Krista K. Laursen
This study explored how health-care leaders in Arizona characterized limitations to the mitigation of Medicaid fraud and abuse. Emergent themes included the need for the application of modern technologies to combat Medicaid fraud and abuse and the concentration of Medicaid fraud and abuse mitigation efforts at the state level.
-
The Role of Leadership in ICT Integration and its Impact on the Economy in Haiti
Carmel Louis-Jacques
A phenomenological study on the process and effect Haitian leaders have on the implementation and application of information communication technologies in Haiti. Guided by Colaizzi’s Seven Steps of Phenomenological Analysis, the emerging concepts included key sectors, corruption, lack of infrastructure, decentralization, and engagement. The findings can aid researchers, academicians, and leaders interested in investigating how the use of ICT can produce positive or negative social and political outcomes in LDCs.
-
Exploring Factors Required for Small Business Success in the 21st Century
Kevin J. Miles
In the U.S., new small businesses have had a high failure rate in their first 5 years of operation. Small businesses create jobs and drive innovation that is critical to the economy. The purpose of the study was to explore factors that could improve the small businesses survival rate.
-
Relationships of Emotional Intelligence and Performance-Based Self-Esteem with Burnout Among Pastors
Jeannie Miller-Clarkson
Burnout threatens the emotional and physical well being of pastors as well as their ability to provide competent and compassionate leadership to their congregations. This study examined the roles of emotional intelligence and performance-based self esteem in the experience of burnout among pastors. Significant relationships were identified.
-
Blurring the Ingroup-Outgroup Distinction: The Agenda for Acceptance for All
Bryan M. Niederman
This study offered participants an opportunity to alter automatic evaluations of others. Intergroup experiences that emphasize social identity complexity (SIC) and cross-cutting group membership (CCGM) awareness can supplant initial impressions, attenuate/replace prejudicial beliefs, reshape ingroup-outgroup boundaries, reduce social category distinctions, and introduce a culture of acceptance. 39 staff of a nonprofit agency participated in SD (learn about the social identities of others), DEC (cooperative task aiming to achieve a superordinate group goal), or comparison. Participation impacted participant perception of levels of acceptance of diversity and behavior as it pertains to being free of bias, prejudice, and discrimination, major social change implications.
-
Understanding Transformative Learning Experiences of Peer Leaders in the Mpowerment Project
Kenneth G. Patterson
This study explored the experiences of peer leaders in the Mpowerment Project, an HIV behavior intervention program, to determine factors of effectiveness in their work. Within a framework of transformative learning, the researcher explored motivation, traits, skills, and abilities brought to the experience, activities taken to ensure success, comparison of experiences and expectations, and perceptions extended to future leaders.
-
Factors Influencing Voter Behavior in Two Inner-City Communities in Jamaica
Apollone S. Reid
A phenomenological study explored the decision making process of voters in two inner-city communities in Jamaica, wherein results of three consecutive general elections showed homogenous voting in favor of incumbent candidates. Voting behavior examined through theoretical frameworks of reciprocal determinism and counter-control supported influences among environmental, cognitive, and behavioral factors.
-
A Middle Management Perspective on Strategy Implementation
Ahmad Salih
Twelve middle managers and three management consultants were interviewed in this qualitative phenomenological study to explore their views on the organizational dynamics of strategy implementation. Data covered the critical factors influencing strategy implementation, the contribution of middle managers on strategy implementation, and the challenges associated with the implementation process.
