Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

Abstract

The problem of this study was that the ability of Game Based Three Dimensional Battlefield Simulations to train cultural competency in U.S. Army officers is unknown. The study sample included officers enrolled in Army Engineer School Basic Officer Course during a three month period from January 2016 to March 2016. To establish a baseline of cultural competency, the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) was administered to students prior to training in virtual battlefield simulations. The CQS is a questionnaire constructed specifically to measure cultural competency. Once the level of cultural competency development was documented, the next phase was to conduct training using Game Based Three Dimensional Battlefield Simulations with cultural competency vignettes. A pre and post-treatment analysis was then conducted to determine if training simulations with cultural competency vignettes improves cultural competency. This analysis indicated that training with cultural competency vignettes in simulations does improve cultural competency as measured by the CQS. Factor analyses results were divergent from previous research showing a four-factor structure as the best fit for the CQS. Pre-treatment scores on the CQS indicated that a three factor model, but post treatment scores indicated that a four factor model. This difference between pre and post treatment factor analysis also contradicts other studies that have found good test retest reliability for the CQS. The overall perceptions of students toward the VBS2 simulation with cultural competency were favorable. From their comments four themes emerged. These themes were; more repetitions, no repercussions (lack of seriousness), more interaction with locals, and better simulation.

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