Week 13: Designing Qualitiative Studies

Week 13: Designing Qualitative Studies
Jackie Clark
 

A Matrix for a Study of Deans of Students at Small Liberal Arts Colleges
Research Questions: What do I need to know?	Why do I need to know this?	Sampling Decisions: Where will I find this data?	Data Collection Methods: What kind of data will answer these questions?	Whom do I contact for access?	Data Analysis
How do Deans of Students at small liberal arts colleges describe their experience as Deans of Students?	Given the preponderance of small school Deans, the challenges they face, and the lack of recent research related to the role, this study can contribute to an understanding of this role as it is today and what support could contribute to the persistence and satisfaction of these valuable leaders.	Deans of Students at small liberal arts colleges. Small is defined at fewer than 5,000 students.	Interviews	Direct  IRB approved emails to solicit participation from current Deans of Students on researcher identified list.	Audio taping, transcription, coding, re-reading.
How do they describe challenges and supports in their current position?	In addition to the above, this research will contribute to understanding of the role in order to improve preparations programs.	Deans of Students at small liberal arts colleges.	Interviews	IRB approved email direct to Dean of Students list.	Audio taping, transcription, coding, re-reading.

  

Memo explaining matrix for a study of the role of the Dean of Students at small liberal arts colleges.

1.    Research Questions

My research questions have evolved from many discussions around the role of the Dean of Students. I have an interest in the environment of the small liberal arts college, as I attended one as an undergraduate. In addition, I would like to work as a Dean of Students on a small campus. After looking at the literature, it was clear that the role has evolved over time and changed significantly to respond to current pressures and student needs. I want to explore how current Deans describe their role and specifically the challenges and supports in the small school environment.

2.    Sampling & Rationale

After creating a list of Deans that met my research criteria (small liberal arts institutions, title must be Dean of Students or Dean of Students in combination with additional title), I narrowed it by geographic proximity. I would prefer to do the interviews in person, so the participants needed to be within driving distance of my current location. The interview method was chosen as it best matched my need to listen to current Deans and hear what they have to say about their role. I wanted to let the interview unfold naturally, with a few prompts to be sure we talk about challenges and supports. Since I am interested in their lived experience, interviews are the best way to record their thoughts.

3.    Methods and Rationale

I will collect all of my data via 60-90 minute interviews with current Deans of Students at small liberal arts colleges. My interview guide consists of 4-5 main questions with a few prompts for each to be sure I get the information I need. I considered being as open ended as possible, but since I only have time for one interview per participant, I needed to be sure that there was useful data collected. I am hoping to uncover themes around the different tasks involved in their work, as well as specific challenges and supports.