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Faculty Receive Research Grants from Walden From predictors of prejudice to prenatal care barriers, see what Walden’s Faculty Research Initiative Grant recipients will be investigating. To support research that leads to real-world solutions, Walden University awarded four faculty members and six faculty teams the 2009 Faculty Research Initiative Grant, totaling $139,500. This year’s grants support research projects ranging from determining the predictors of prejudice to identifying prenatal-care barriers in rural south Indian HIV-positive communities. With the goal of supporting excellence in scholarly work, the grant program helps fund select faculty research projects that are deemed exceptional in merit. The grants provide seed money for the development of faculty research agendas. Walden University congratulates the following individuals and research teams for their standout projects: Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Social Dominance Orientation and Materialistic Value Orientation as Predictors of Prejudice Principal Investigator: Dr. Carlos Diaz-Lazaro, School of Psychology Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Kelley Haynes, School of Psychology Grant Amount: $10,000 Project Abstract: The study will explore the relationship between prejudice and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), social dominance orientation (SDO) and materialistic value orientation (MVO). Participants will be recruited through stratified sampling by a local data collection consultant in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina, and will consist of 300 adults with ages ranging from 18 to 65. Participants will complete a Spanish back-translated Right Wing Authoritarianism Scale, Social Dominance Scale, Material Values Scale, an Argentinean Prejudice Scale and a demographic survey. The study’s design will be correlational. Multiple Regression Analysis will be conducted to assess the contribution of RWA, SDO and MVO to prejudice. Factor analysis will also be conducted to assess internal validity of the Spanish versions of the research instruments. Retirement Life of School Superintendents in Montana Principal Investigator: Dr. Boyd E. Dressle, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Grant Amount: $9,000 Project Abstract: It is estimated that there are 73.5 million individuals in the Baby Boomer generation who are or soon will be reaching retirement age. Just as they have lived their work life differently than their parents by being more educated and having fewer blue-collar jobs, so are they expected to approach retirement in a new way. This proposed study will examine a subset of these individuals, school superintendents in Montana, as to the nature of their transition to retirement. Fifteen recently retired superintendents will be asked to participate in a qualitative phenomenological study consisting of two- to three-hour interviews. The effects on their self-identity of going from a leadership role to one of retiree will be explored along with changes in relationships with friends and family and their current activities. Three methods of coding will be used to analyze the data. Open coding will be conducted by color-coding the major themes. Axial coding will develop concepts into categories and interconnect them. Selective coding will be used to identify the storyline that pertains to this group. The findings will assist researchers in developing a new theoretical basis for understanding this under-researched group and to develop a practical reference book for human resource departments and individuals transitioning to retirement. This study contributes to positive social change by initiating understanding of the changes experienced by leaders during the transition to retirement. Utilization of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Title I, Part A Stimulus Funds: Translations of Federal, State and District Policy to Action Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Phyllis Durden, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Paula Dawidowicz, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Grant Amount: $18,000 Project Abstract: It is unclear how local districts interpret local guidelines for the use of federal funding and, as a result, the impact those funds have on students’ performance and/or school climate. With the introduction of the short-term, nonrenewable American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Policy, and economic stimulus funds for Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), understanding the factors impacting interpretation of these initiatives, their implementation and their ultimate educational impact becomes particularly important to ensure the funds’ impacts are maximized. The purpose of the proposed research is to conduct a multiple case study of the implementation process of those stimulus funds allocated for school improvement in terms of the selections made for utilization of funds. The independent variables are the school improvement initiatives funded by the ARRA Title I, Part A funds. The intervening variables are the socioeconomic level (as measured by the Free and Reduced Price Lunch percentage) and the cultural attitudes in the locations. The dependent variables are student achievement and school climate. Data sources will include several annual government reports and archived data, surveys and interviews. Analysis will be accomplished through use of both SPSS and NVivo software and will include ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis of quantitative data and open coding and axial coding to identify themes and patterns in qualitative data, as well as integration of quantitative and qualitative data, to draw overall conclusions. Through this research, greater understanding of the funding to implementation process, intervening factors and potential results of short-term funding in Title I, Part A programs can develop and, as a result, refinement of policy and process can occur. Evaluating the Impact of Community Leadership: Researching Leadership Development Outcomes
Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Janice Garfield, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership This multiple case-study research will use elements of the CIPP (Context Input Process Product) model of program evaluation, while using the structure and core values of the Baldrige National Quality Program (BNQP) as a conceptual framework. Sources of data will include interviews (with leadership development program participants, planners and stakeholders), observations of program activities, and document review (program materials, needs assessments, educational materials and program evaluations). This approach combines Yin’s concepts of using case studies in evaluation research for both explanation of “presumed causal links” and description of “an intervention and the real-life context in which it” occurs. Data analysis will include description, development of categories and naturalistic generalizations to identify and compare causal links. The aim of this research is to expand the scope of existing community leadership development program evaluation, focusing on the impact of such programs regionally and globally. With the current economic concerns and expanding global markets, even small markets (towns, counties) are becoming concerned about adopting a global perspective. This affects the sustainability of local economies, as they strive to be competitive in a larger, more global economy. Long-Term Impact of Psychosocial Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors Principal Investigator: Dr. Ellen G. Levine, School of Psychology Grant Amount: $10,000 Project Abstract: Often cancer survivors feel that only other survivors can understand their experiences. While studies have extolled the values of group support for cancer patients and survivors, few have examined whether cancer survivors who have been a part of group intervention studies remain in contact with the other group members after the study is completed. This study aims to re-contact 181 breast cancer survivors who were enrolled in a trial of two types of interventions: standard group support and a more spiritually based intervention that included complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Of interest is the importance of the belief that only cancer survivors can empathize with each other, and the type and appraisal of support from other individuals in their families/networks. The women will be contacted for a one-time in-depth interview that will address the following: whether they have continued to meet with other women in their groups; how often they meet; with how many women; what the nature of the meetings are; the perceived benefits of meetings; the types and appraisals of support from the group members and their own family/social network; the impact that breast cancer still has on their lives; and whether or not the women in the CAM group are still practicing the modalities that were taught. In addition, the women will be asked to complete the same measures of quality of life, mood and spirituality that they completed while in the original study. They will be asked to complete measures of social support and barriers to continuing in the group that were not used in the original study. This study could impact not only whether or not a cancer patient decides to enter or stay in a group, but also help clinicians determine who might benefit from being in a long-term support group. Latino/Hispanic Students’ Motivation to Enter Field of Ecology: Facilitated Through Professional Learning of Teachers in an Elementary School Principal Investigator: Dr. Heather Miller, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Tom Cavanagh, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Grant Amount: $20,000 Project Abstract: This research will implement a teacher training program that will engage the interest of Latino/Hispanic elementary school students in ecology and the natural sciences. Existing data from Miller’s dissertation, which quantified students’ exposure and career aspirations toward ecology and the natural sciences will be analyzed qualitatively. The findings of the qualitative analysis of Miller’s data and the results of the already existing quantitative analysis will result in a teacher professional learning intervention that will be developed aimed at increasing the motivation of Latino/Hispanic students to learn about ecology and the natural sciences. In-depth interpretation of the existing data by multiple researchers—with Latino/Hispanic scholars providing cultural insights—will be made, guided by constructivist grounded theory to guide the development of the professional development / teacher training. The intervention will be instituted in an elementary school, where the population is primarily Latino/Hispanic students, and will be evaluated using Guskey’s five levels of evaluation of professional development, which through an iterative process will measure teacher’s implementation of the intervention and its effects on Latino/Hispanic students regarding their knowledge of and interest in ecology and the natural sciences. Finally, an action plan will be written for replicating the intervention in other schools with similar student populations. This research study will address Walden’s social change mission by empowering teachers of Latino/Hispanic students on how to best address their unique population based on culturally sensitive teacher training to pique the interest of these young students in ecology and the natural sciences. Ethnic Identity and Daily Life in African-American Families Principal Investigator: Dr. Brian L. Ragsdale, School of Psychology Grant Amount: $10,000 Project Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine dimensions of ethnic identity in African-American families and explore its relationship to daily experience and emotional regulation. Ethnic identity, as measured from hour-to-hour, daily and globally, will be examined in relation to person-situational contexts. The specific aim of this pilot project is the collection of detailed data on the multidimensional aspects of ethnic identity (e.g., belonging, cultural beliefs and feelings relating to oppositionality) and how they function across various contexts. Specific hypotheses relating to adult and adolescent ethnic identity and its mediational role in mental health outcomes will be tested using multi-level models. A secondary aim is to explore emotional regulation patterns and relate these to perceptions of discrimination and prejudice. This research proposes a pilot study with 30 African-American families, including children over the age of 12. Following procedures of the Experience Sampling Method (ESM), participants enter data in a PDA every day for one week and, once signaled, will provide self-reports on hour-to-hour, daily activity, location, companionship and emotion. ESM data and traditional surveys on psychological functioning (e.g., depression, stress, family cohesion) will be collected from participants. ESM self-report data and surveys will be collected across seven days and across two waves: first and ninth months. Participants will provide over 75,000 reports on random hours in their daily lives. This study will provide a rich and complex data set on Black family life, daily positive and negative emotion, amount of time spent in various daily activities, examine companionship choices made by family members and describe mood when engaged in various daily activities. Examining Resilience Factors for a Transsexual Woman of Mexican Heritage Principal Investigator: Dr. Stacee Reicherzer, School of Counseling and Social Service Grant Amount: $9,000 Project Abstract: This single case study will examine resilience factors in the life of a transsexual woman of Mexican ethnic origin who works as a drag performer in an urban area of south Texas. The study’s aim will be to explore real-world examples of marginalization, social opprobrium, strength and resiliency for the purpose of improving community-based intervention and prevention efforts that address suicidality for transgender women of color. Data will be collected through personal interviews with the participant, direct and indirect observations of her drag performances and a review of the artifacts of her life that reveal her story of resilience. Results will be analyzed using NVIVO 8 through the use of two case study methods: direct interpretation, in which a single event is reviewed numerous times for the purpose of understanding its importance; and categorical aggregation, in which numbers of specific occurrences are recorded and analyzed. Findings from this research would assist the development of better counseling and human services for the transgender community, potentially resulting in a reduction in transgender suicide rates through the use of evidence-based interventions. Assessing a Predictive Modeling Technique for Proactive Patient Management of Diabetes Principal Investigator: Dr. Howard B. Schechtner, School of Management Co-Principal Investigator: Mr. Nithyanandam Mathiyazhagan, School of Management Grant Amount: $15,000 Project Abstract: Diabetes affects nearly 25 million Americans and is estimated to cost approximately $125 billion annually. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. The human cost can be measured in terms of hospitalizations, drug costs, amputations, blindness, nerve damage, pain management and other health problems. The societal cost is in the trillions of dollars and is stressing a health care system whose costs are soaring. This study will create and assess predictive models for patients to proactively treat their blood sugar levels. It is difficult for patients to predict blood sugar as current technology gives them only a momentary reading without indicating whether levels are rising or falling. If insulin boluses are injected when sugars are high but actually falling, a serious hypoglycemic event requiring hospitalization could transpire. The model will take into account a number of variables such as insulin dose, blood sugar level, food intake (grams of carbohydrates), calories consumed, food timing, physical activity, type of activity, duration of activity, time of day, day of week and historical blood sugar readings. These explicit and tacit knowledge variables will guide the creation of the predictive model. The goal of the research is to tighten the control of blood sugar range which typically means reducing the running average of blood sugar level readings and reducing high and low readings. The theoretical basis for the study rests with Nonaka and Takeuchi’s Spiral Process Theory of Knowledge which will guide the creation of the model. This knowledge-based, technology-leveraged approach has the goal of greater adherence to self-controlled diabetes management through tacit and explicit knowledge conversion and internalization. Formative Research to Identify Barriers to Completing Prenatal Care Services in HIV-Positive Communities in Rural South India Principal Investigator: Dr. Vishnu-Priya Sneller, College of Health Sciences Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. Raghu Korripati, School of Management Grant Amount: $20,000 Project Abstract: The study proposes to use qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the prenatal services available to women in rural India. In collaboration with a local non-government agency that provides HIV prevention services in three different settings in Andhra-Pradesh. Participants will be residents from communities where HIV is known to be present. Participating communities will be identified by locating HIV-positive women who were lost to follow-up during the third trimester of pregnancy and missed an opportunity to prevent perinatal transmission of HIV. The project proposes to use qualitative and quantitative methods to identify barriers to prenatal care and health status of HIV-positive women who were lost to follow-up. Qualitative methods will use focus groups and non-structured interviews. The quantitative method will use structured interviews. Focus groups composed of women 16 years and older and couples from these communities will inform the development of communication messages and print material promoting prenatal care. Focus groups will also be used to develop the questionnaire, which will be used for individual interviews. Women 16 years and older from these communities will participate voluntarily in the structured individual interviews. Univariate and logistic regression models will be used to describe the barriers to prenatal care and risk for HIV infections in these communities. About the Faculty Research Initiative Grant The Faculty Research Initiative Grant program is open to all faculty who have been employed by Walden for a minimum of six months. Grant funds can be used to support pilot research projects and small-scale research studies, and to supplement new areas of investigation that are spin-off studies or sub-studies of larger ongoing research projects.
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