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<p><h1>Abstract</h1></p> <p><strong>Succeeding in Level 1 of a BScN Program: A Grounded Theory Inquiry</strong></p> <p>This research is an inquiry into the journey of student success as experienced by Level 1 nursing students in a BScN program. It is a qualitative study using a constructivist grounded theory methodology that looks at the psychosocial processes that are integral to the nursing student’s experience of Level 1. Fifty 1 to 1 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Level 1and Level 2 nursing students, experienced level 1 faculty and academic advisors (n=46). Participants were asked to define student success, and discuss their experience of success. The constant comparison method and theoretical sampling informed the findings. The result was an emerging substantive theory for student success entitled: <em>Succeeding in Level 1 of a BScN Program (Succeeding Substantive Theory or SST).</em> There are four conceptual processes that make up the <em>SST</em>: Learning, Balancing, Connecting and Becoming. Each concept has several categories that summarize the codes reflected in the data. The <em>SST</em> offers a fresh and novel perspective on student success as it reflects the processes involved in a comprehensive and integrated way. The insights and understanding that result from the <em>SST</em> can be used to direct policy and resources for student success, inform curricular revision, and suggest further research.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Using grounded theory methodology, the purpose of the study was to examine the transition experiences of older workers who retired from their long-term careers and who were working in bridge jobs. After interviewing 24 participants, a theory emerged that describes the decision to seek a bridge job, the strategies used, the problems faced, and the benefits received. The decision to retire is connected with the decision to seek a bridge job. Participants planned but mainly focused on their finances; no participant sought help from a career counseling professional. They faced challenges such as age discrimination and problems switching to a new position. Participants reported that they live a more balanced life and enjoy their bridge job. The core theme from the study is bridge employment redefines retirement. / Ph. D.

Industrial Design in China seldom addresses the issue of sustainability in mass production. Failure to incorporate sustainable design as a core principle will result in long term environmental and economic loss for both business and society. This research studies the current Industrial Design educational system in Mainland China and proposes a new educational framework to engage sustainability as a design objective. This study adopts the philosophical perspectives of constructivism, sustainable design theory, critical pedagogy, and systems thinking. Literature related to sustainability is collected and organized and overlaid with educational constraints identified through the interviews with educators, students, and practitioners of Industrial Design in four major cities of Mainland China. Using the grounded theory approach, from these two sources a new educational framework is proposed. The educational framework categorizes courses in a four year undergraduate Industrial Design educational program into four domains: ecological literacy, artistic, technological, and professional. Suggestions for the appropriate timeline, content, and pedagogical approaches for curriculum are also provided. The proposed framework was then critically reviewed Chinese educators that served as feedback for the final proposition. / Ph. D.

In December 2015, the United States' Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, issued a directive that each branch of military avail every position to women (Pellerin, 2015). Given this and the dearth of literature on women's leader development in military environments, it was imperative to research if and how these environments shape and influence leadership development among college aged women. Specifically, this study sought to reveal women's view of self as leader in the context of a military training environment at a senior military college. The Leadership Identity Development (LID) model developed by Komives, Owen, Longerbeam, Mainella, and Osteen (2005) served as a framework for this study that utilized constructivist grounded theory methods for data collection and analysis as described by Charmaz (2014). The participants in this study were 21 college students who identified as women participating in a 24-hour military training program between the ages of 19 to 23 and agreed to participate in individual face-to-face interviews. Through interviews and analysis of the data, eight themes emerged from the women's experiences that revealed how they developed as leaders in the environment, and conditions that both promoted and inhibited their leader development. These themes are leadership defined, internal dialogue, strategies for managing influences, practicing leadership, context for learning leadership, external influences, internal influences, and experiences. These findings have implications for future research and practice. / Doctor of Philosophy / It is important to understand how college aged women develop a leadership identity in a military training environment that has historically been male-dominated. This study sought to better understand the experiences of 21 women who learned leadership in a military training environment that was a 24-hour live in experience on a campus of higher education. The women agreed to meet for a face-to-face interview that lasted approximately one hour to share their experiences. Constructivist grounded theory methods for data collection and analysis (Charmaz, 2014) were utilized in this study, and the Leadership Identity Development (LID) model developed by Komives, Owen, Longerbeam, Mainella, and Osteen (2005) served as a framework. I share the findings of this study and implications for future research and practice.

Yes / Conference abstract from the British Geriatrics Society Autumn Meeting, 14-16 Nov 2018, London, UK.

No / Objective. To explore the lived experiences of pharmacy students undertaking an early pre-registration training placement in the United Kingdom, particularly with respect to the development of different aspects of their professionalism. Methods. Fourteen students returning from an early pre-registration placement (during the third year of their pharmacy degree) were interviewed, using a semi-structured approach. Grounded theory methods were used to analyze the transcripts and a theory was developed. Results. ʻDeveloping a professional identityʼ was the core process that occurred during the placement. This included four stages: (1) Reflection (2) Selection of attributes (3) Professional socialization and (4) Perception of role. As a consequence of ʻDeveloping a professional identityʼ, participants had a strong vision of the kind of pharmacist they wanted to be when qualified. They articulated an increased responsibility as students, and began to see themselves as ʻNow a trainee professionalʼ. Conclusion. This study strongly supports the use of an early pre-registration period to develop pharmacy students’ sense of professional identity and strengthen their motivation to learn.