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EXAMINING THE LIVED-EXPERIENCES OF INTERNATIONAL L2 PHD STUDENTS: A NARRATIVE STUDY
Get PDFThe primary purpose of this qualitative narrative study was to explore the lived experiences of international PhD students who used academic English literacy during their research for their theses/dissertations. The second purpose of this study was to identify ways international PhD students mitigated academic language challenges for their theses/dissertations. This qualitative narrative study was founded on the theoretical framework of constructivism and sociocultural theory created by Vygotsky. The research participants were three L2 international PhD students who lived in America while conducting research for their dissertations or theses. Video recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted with all participants to gather rich, detailed information about their lived experiences, while using academic English literacy and conversational English. Data collected from the interviews were transcribed, verified for accuracy from the participants, coded and analyzed to determine emergent themes. The two themes of this study were conversational English and academic English literacy. Findings from this study suggested that domestic and international universities should provide English speaking and literacy supports for L2 students
RECLAIMING THE ART OF SABBATH: A BIBLICAL AND PRACTICAL THEOLOGY FOR PASTORAL SABBATH-KEEPING
Get PDFPastoral Sabbath-keeping is both a lost art and a vital part of the spiritual vitality of the twentyfirst century church. A majority of pastors within the United States affirm that they do not take a time for weekly Sabbath, which in turn has led to higher cases of pastoral burnout and ministry ineffectiveness. This is intrinsically linked to a lack of pastoral spiritual health. The solution to this spiritually fueled problem is found in reclaiming the art of pastoral Sabbath-keeping. Developing a well-rounded biblical theology of Sabbath-keeping practices will allow twenty-first century pastors to apply a biblically founded practical theology that will both equip the pastor and the church of the future for greater levels of effectiveness and impact within their communities
A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF DOCTORAL GRADUATES’ PERCEPTIONS OF MENTORING BY THEIR DISSERTATION CHAIRS
Get PDFThe purpose of this non-experimental study was to examine doctoral graduates’ satisfaction with the mentoring provided by their dissertation chairs. The relationships between doctoral students and their dissertation chairs can positively or negatively influence a doctoral student’s dissertation journey. The researcher developed and validated a survey to determine doctoral graduates’ perceptions of mentoring by their dissertation chairs based on best practices in the literature. The online survey was announced nationwide using email and social media: 133 graduates from multiple disciplines and institutions responded with complete data. The responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the analyses revealed that this sample of graduates viewed their chair’s mentoring as helpful or very helpful during the different phases of the dissertation process (M = 2.92 on a 4-point Likert scale). The graduates also agreed or strongly agreed that their chairs used best practices of mentoring doctoral graduates (M = 4.12 on a 5-point Likert scale). Analyses of open-ended survey items reiterated the importance of the relationships between doctoral students and their chairs to promote successful completion of the dissertation. Graduates valued mutual trust, encouragement, goal setting, shared research interests, and timely feedback. Implications of the study and recommendations for future research were discussed.
Keywords: dissertation chair, doctoral student, doctoral program completion, mentee, mentor, mentoring, more knowledgeable other (MKO), online mentorin
IS PSYCHOTHERAPY OR NOUTHETIC COUNSELING MORE EFFECTIVE?
Get PDFThere are a variety of differences between psychotherapy and Nouthetic counseling. These are two forms of counseling that have stemmed from various different schools of thought. In psychotherapy there are many different techniques to use, however, one of the underlying premises is the idea that a relationship between the counselee and counselor is necessary. Nouthetic, on the other hand, does not value that. Nouthetic, also known as biblical counseling, believes that the behaviors of an individual are what will directly affect actual change in a person. Psychotherapy began with Mesmer, Breuer and Freud. The basis for the psychotherapy we have today is from the original talk therapy between Breuer and Anna O. This demonstrated that an ability to simply discuss issues one is dealing with supplies relief. Without a vulnerable and trusting relationship between the two this relief cannot happen. Nouthetic counseling began with Jay Adams in 1970 when he published his book “Competent to Counsel.” The driving ideas behind this new theory were the idea that counseling should be scripture centered, and as behavior changes the thoughts and inner person change. Which one of these is superior? While the idea of Nouthetic is noble in the aspect that it attempts to be Scripture focused, it has a couple issues. It treats every patient the same and applies the same form of treatment to each individual. Along with that the belief that behavior is what is the key to change in an individual is not the best way to counsel. Ultimately, psychotherapy provides genuine counseling that provides lasting change while Nouthetic counseling can have some positive effects but doesn’t perform as consistently as psychotherapy
AN INSTRUMENTAL STUDY OF FIRE SERVICE LEADERS’ INFLUENCE ON FOLLOWERS’ WORKPLACE AEROBIC EXERCISE ACTIVITY
Get PDFSudden cardiac events resulting from the physical demands associated with fire suppression among individuals lacking adequate aerobic fitness are known concerns within the firefighting domain. The purpose of this research study was to explore fire service leaders\u27 perceived leadership behaviors that aided in followers\u27 performing workplace aerobic exercise activities (Creswell & Poth, 2018). Following within-case and cross-case analyses of interviewees\u27 data, five leadership themes emerged comprising four behaviors and one influence related to followers\u27 workplace aerobic exercise activities: role model, supportive, cooperative, visionary, and planned exercise regimen. In the present study, thematic findings indicated that fire service leaders\u27 role-modeling exercise and fitness behaviors exemplified the importance of performing workplace aerobic exercise activities among followers. In addition, supportive behaviors focused on interactive exchanges, job-related training, and team-building helped followers perform workplace aerobic exercise activities. Moreover, interviewees portrayed cooperative behaviors towards working out with followers, scaling exercises, and procuring fitness equipment promoted workplace aerobic exercise activities. Furthermore, interviewees described the use of visionary behaviors focused on thinking outside of the box and eliciting solutions to barriers limiting followers’ from performing workplace aerobic exercise activities. Equally important, interviewees identified that establishing a prescribed planned workout regimen influenced followers\u27 performance of workplace aerobic exercise activities. Therefore, the present study\u27s findings have practical implications for helping fire service leaders lessen followers\u27 cardiovascular disease-related events within the firefighting domain
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN FUNERAL HOMES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Get PDFThe purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative study was to describe the impact that the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had on essential elements of organizational leadership in the funeral home industry. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey approach was utilized as this study was intended to be a stand-alone study to provide a snapshot of current organizational elements of funeral homes impacted after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. All the employees of a six-location, family-owned funeral home in the Midwest, with the exception of two employees the researcher had direct supervision over, were emailed a survey titled A Non-Experimental, Quantitative Study of the impact of COVID-19 on the Organizational Leadership of Funeral Homes to their organization email addresses. The impact to the study participants perceptions of organizational efficacy, work-related psychosocial factors, and their workplace environment during the pandemic was found to be statistically significant. However, despite the pandemic, study participant’s work-life balance was not statistically impacted. This study helped create a holistic picture of organizational leadership within a funeral home during the COVID-19 pandemic and added to the body of literature concerning essential elements of the inner workings of a funeral home during a pandemic. The study’s findings will pave the way for preventative policies and procedures, as well as give state and federal entities a better understanding of the depth of organizational change within the industry
A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF TEACHER RETENTION IN PROJECT-BASED LEARNING SCHOOLS
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing teacher retention in project-based learning (PBL) schools. Ascertaining these factors and devising a list of best practices could aid both PBL and non-PBL schools in bolstering their schools’ teacher retention rates. School administrators could examine the research to extrapolate specific practices that would benefit the unique culture of their schools. This mixed-methods study utilized a survey and interviews to address the two research questions. Themes that emerged from interviews with current PBL teachers were colleague interactions, administrative support, student interactions, autonomy, and motivation. Themes emerging from interviews with PBL school administrators were relationships and autonomy. Last, themes emerging from interviews with former PBL teachers were motivation, student interactions, colleague interactions, and benefits. By examining the themes associated with PBL teacher retention, administrators can devise best practices to positively influence teacher retention within their individual schools
A PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN MINISTRY FOR PARENTAL GRIEF AND LOSS
Get PDFIn the aftermath of a child\u27s death, the researcher\u27s personal experience revealed a gap between the need for holistic spiritually based support and the availability of such resources from the local church. People, including the local church, maybe unaware of such a gap until support is required. When a congregant experiences a child\u27s death, their spiritual support system may not be prepared to offer the necessary support and guidance. The church\u27s insufficient preparation to minister to grieving people became the elephant in the room for the researcher and needed to be discussed. This research developed and applied a standardized grief theology of parental grief, which helps to guide grieving parents to seek God for comfort and hope as they struggle to accept their child\u27s death. In light of the limited resources available, the question needs to be asked if the amount of pastoral care training for ministers is sufficient for what they will face in the daily duties as a pastor. Without a standard in grief care, American churches may experience a chasm between what they perceive to be the wants and needs of bereaved parents versus the expectations of parents who are grieving their child\u27s death. The ministries and counseling offered through those churches may not be effectively meeting the needs of grieving parents. As pastors study grief theology, they may receive personal healing in conjunction with being increasingly involved with the conversations revolving around grief. The congregations that enter each church are not immune to experiencing grief or PTSD
THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN PRIMARY CARE
Get PDFHistorically, primary care has been delivered by physicians in private practices. However, pre-medical and medical students considering primary care should consider that market trends and physician preferences are changing the delivery methods of primary care. This thesis aims to predict the future delivery methods of primary care in America. By analyzing current studies, articles, and physician polls, it asserts that private practices are not a financially viable practice model and that medical systems will dominate primary care. Firstly, it identifies low insurance reimbursement rates, increasing quality documentation requirements, and an unhealthy work-life balance as the primary obstacles to private practice sustainability. It predicts that private practices will shrink to service less than 20% of the primary care market. The practices that survive will be forced to form group associations or specialize in concierge practice to maintain financial viability. The thesis explores the financial effects of the future private practice transformation; however, it is unable to analyze the quality of care due to insufficient studies. Secondly, it argues that medical systems will dominate primary care because of high insurance reimbursement rates, physician retainment, and effective use of auxiliary staff. It predicts that health systems will reform primary care in three primary areas: Health systems will shift the burden of care from physicians to non-physician practitioners, physicians will become leaders of primary care teams and coordinators of care, and medical billing will adapt to prioritize value-based care. Although research is limited, it appears that future primary care delivery may value quantity over quality
SOCIAL MEDIA: THE IMPACT ON SPIRITUAL FORMATION AMONG GENERATION Z FRESHMAN COLLEGE STUDENTS
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to understand the impact of social media on the spiritual formation of Generation Z freshmen college students. Social media app usage has become prevalent within society, and Gen Z members are the first to grow up their entire lives with Internet access. Christian universities must understand the impact of social media apps on incoming freshman students, as they develop spiritual formation strategies aimed at the college population. In addition, the students’ own perceptions of how they are being impacted is important to identify, in order for them to make the necessary changes towards spiritual growth. The data collection instrument used was an online survey, distributed via email to freshmen students. Out of 300 eligible freshmen students, 134 completed the survey. The survey asked questions about spiritual formation activities and social media app usage. Data analysis of the survey is reported in the results portion of this study. The findings of this study were that social media technology has altered the spiritual formation process of Gen Z students at the university, as they are not able to be fully present during spiritual formation activities, with Bible reading, quiet time, and prayer life being significantly impacted by these apps. Additionally, the social media app Instagram was found to have the greatest impact on student spiritual formation, over the three other most popular apps (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter) at the time of this study