In this chapter, I explain why I decided to do a qualitative method as a part of my capstone. As a part of the qualitative approach, a questionnaire survey was developed for participants to provide input on their experiences. Even though quantitative data could have been collected, they do not allow students to express themselves as effectively as a survey would do. Survey questions were sent to outside observers to ensure that the questions being posed to the participants would be meaningful and allow the researcher to collect data. Researcher will also group common narratives to identify themes.
The key is to ensure that enough participants were a part of the survey. A key instrument for the collection of the data was myself …show more content…
As an African-American male, I have had the opportunity to have both of my parents in education, but also to have other relatives who were also involved in education to push and guide me through my persistence through my educational journey. I have had the opportunity to have mentors throughout my life who assisted me with my transition from college to my professional career. As the Chief Diversity Officer at Morehead State University, I also review data that reflect the retention and graduation rates of students. As a part of my research, and to increase validity and reliability, I have been involved with analysis of retention data for over 6 years. Data collection will use different media to facilitate validation. It is very important to ensure that validity qualifiers have been put in place to address threats to validity. Detail information about the participants are included in the study, and participants were screened to ensure that they represented the population for this …show more content…
The focus interview questions were reviewed by outside researchers for validity to decrease the amount of bias that may have come from the researcher. The researcher contacted the potential participants and made them aware of the purpose of the study, and ensured them of the confidentially of their information as a part of the study. Participants were ensured also of their anonymity. The participants were not a random sample of students, but a specific group of students, and where targeted because of their ethnicity and gender. All focus group conversations were tape-recorded with permission, and transcripts were made of each discussion.
Instrument
The focus group interviews covered the following areas, and the questions were open-ended to allow the participants to provide additional input that may have not been discovered through the questions outlined. The instrument addressed social and academic interaction and the perceived results of the participant’s progression through their institution.
1. How the student responded to the lack of other African-American males on campus;
2. Services which allowed the student to be