Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Sampling In Qualitative Research: Insights From An Overview Of The Methods Literature, Stephen J. Gentles, Cathy Charles, Jenny Ploeg, K. Ann Mckibbon

The Qualitative Report

The methods literature regarding sampling in qualitative research is characterized by important inconsistencies and ambiguities, which can be problematic for students and researchers seeking a clear and coherent understanding. In this article we present insights about sampling in qualitative research derived from a systematic methods overview we conducted of the literature from three research traditions: grounded theory, phenomenology, and case study. We identified and selected influential methods literature from each tradition using a purposeful and transparent procedure, abstracted textual data using structured abstraction forms, and used a multistep approach for deriving conclusions from the data. We organize the findings from …

Enhancing Students’ Understanding And Revision Of Narrative Writing Through Self-Assessment And Dialogue: A Qualitative Multi-Case Study, Stephanie Baxa

The Qualitative Report

With students losing hope when faced with challenges in the classroom, daily student-involved formative assessment that contributes to a growth mindset is essential. Through self-assessment and dialogue, students can generate feedback used for improvement of their writing, and teachers can give feedback that fosters self-efficacy. The purpose of this qualitative multi-case study was to explore the growth of fifth-grade writers as they participated in self-assessment, writing conferences with their teacher, and story revision. Research questions focused on students’ ability to explain learning targets and strengths and weaknesses of their writing and their ability to revise their writing. The participants, two …

Migration To Alma/Primo: A Case Study Of Central Washington University, Ping Fu, Julie Carmen

Library Scholarship

This paper describes how Central Washington University Libraries (CWUL) interacted and collaborated with the Orbis Cascade Alliance (OCA) Shared Integrated Library System’s (SILS) Implementation Team and Ex Libris to process systems and data migration from Innovative Interfaces Inc.’s Millennium integrated library system to Alma/Primo, Ex Libris’ next-generation library management solution and discovery and delivery solution. A chronological review method was used for this case study to provide an overall picture of key migration events, tasks, and implementation efforts, including pre-migration cleanup, migration forms, integration with external systems, testing, cutover, post-migration cleanup, and reporting and fixing outstanding issues. A three-phase migration …

Identity Construction In The Margins:A Case Study Involving Non-Conforming Youth, Alice M. Harnischfeger

The Qualitative Report

This qualitative instrumental case study explores how student members of an alternative educational program in a successful public middle school constructed identity, and how they interpreted their schooling experiences in relation to hegemonic educational practices. It draws on sociocultural and postmodern theories to focus on these youths’ identities and on their perspectives of self and school practices. Its multiple methods collected data through alternative and mainstream classroom observations, focus group sessions, semi-structured individual interviews with students, parents, and school professionals, and an analysis of school documents. The youth participants of this study held multiply-constructed identities, and actively resisted and affirmed …

Women On The Move: The Migration Of Wnba Players To Overseas Basketball Teams, Barbra Nalani Butler

Doctoral Dissertations

Through this study, I investigated the migration of American Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players to professional club teams overseas. International migration of professional women athletes has been occurring for decades, yet little is known about the experiences of these labor migrants apart from women’s soccer (Agergaard & Tiesler, 2014). Research examining sport labor migration has largely focused on the experiences of men (Maguire, 2008).

The study has filled in gaps in the literature, giving voice to women’s experiences as sport labor migrants, specifically in reference to women’s professional basketball players. Historically, many WNBA players have chosen to play two …

Psychosocial Distress: A Case Study Of A Male African American Veteran With End-Stage Colon Cancer, Frances R. Nedjat-Haiem, Iraida V. Carrion, Terri Wingate Lewison

The Qualitative Report

This in-depth single-case-study explored the emergent trauma of psychosocial distress of an older male African-American veteran after being diagnosed with end-stage colon cancer. Using a qualitative case study methodology, three in-depth interviews were conducted which identified the following five themes: (1) the emotional impact of being diagnosed with cancer, (2) experiencing inescapable loss of control and independence, (3) adjusting to nursing home placement, (4) lacking social support, and (5) navigating complicated services. The findings expand our understanding of the need for identifying and managing psychosocial distress. Implications for behavioral health practitioners are discussed.

Experiences Of Individuals Suffering From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Qualitative Study, Anindita Bhattacharya, Amool Ranjan Singh

The Qualitative Report

This study was aimed at giving voice to the experiences of four people suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Five in-depth interviews were conducted on each individual constructing themselves in the light of their own experiences. A “case study approach” was chosen as the suitable method to go in depth into the information and “thematic content analysis” was used as the method of analysis. The life stories of these individuals were reconstructed in terms of themes, and recurring themes were further explored and elucidated and linked with literature. This study helps in reaching the depths of life experiences of individuals …

Characteristics Of A Megajournal: A Bibliometric Case Study, C. Sean Burns

Information Science Faculty Publications

The term megajournal is used to describe publication platforms, like PLOS ONE, that claim to incorporate peer review processes and web technologies that allow fast review and publishing. These platforms also publish without the constraints of periodic issues and instead publish daily. We conducted a yearlong bibliometric profile of a sample of articles published in the first several months after the launch of PeerJ, a peer reviewed, open access publishing platform in the medical and biological sciences. The profile included a study of author characteristics, peer review characteristics, usage and social metrics, and a citation analysis. We found …

A Phenomenological Multi-Case Study About Social Success Skills, Aspirations, And Related Media Experiences, Darnel Degand

The Qualitative Report

The social success skills valued and ultimately acquired by youth during their formative years can be better understood by examining the social spaces, processes, and interactions that are related to their personal aspirations and related media experiences. Using a phenomenological approach, I conducted a year-long multi-case study about two Black male high school students’ thoughts on social success, their aspirations, their social experiences, and their experiences with media. The participants were selected using purposeful sampling. I collected data through semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and observations. I performed analyses by using the hermeneutic cycle which requires one to repeatedly read text, …

A Case Study Illustrating The Importance Of Educating The Whole Person By Using The Arts As A Supplementary Training Tool In Workplace Learning, Matilda Mettälä

The Qualitative Report

From a humanistic, learner-centered view this practical case study involving Tetra Pak, a world leadingfood processing and packaging solution company,explores the role of emotion in learning and the arts as a supplementary training tool by describing and interpreting their new employee orientation trainings based on the facilitator’s accounts. This case will illustrate the added value the arts contribute as well as the need to include the whole person-concept in workplace learning. This case does not suggest an exact design with specifications of how this kind of training should be conducted, but rather this specific study will offer additional knowledgeby exemplifying …

Measuring Pedagogical Content Knowledge Using Multiple Points Of Data, Ann D. Morrison, Kathleen Carroll Luttenegger

The Qualitative Report

Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is the intersection of a teacher’s knowledge of content, pedagogy, and of the context of the learning situation, including her students. Many different methods have been used by researchers to study PCK. We propose that PCK cannot be measured through one approach. Rather, it is more accurately measured by triangulating data gathered through observation of instructional events, teacher interviews, and assessments of content knowledge. This is illustrated through a case study of Maria, a paraeducator leading small group reading intervention lessons in a kindergarten classroom over a period of 10 weeks.

Succession Planning Activities At A Rural Public Health Department, Sandra L. Cole, Clifford P. Harbour

The Qualitative Report

This qualitative case study utilized interviews and evaluation of publicallyavailable documents to investigate the process of succession planning in a moderately-sized public health office located in a metropolitan community in a frontier-rural state. Following analysis of the data, the results were compared to literature findings. Four public health directors, the County Health Officer and the Board of Health chairperson participated in the private, face-to-face interviews. These individuals were asked to participate because they have the ability to direct staff leadership development activities. A formal succession planning program did not exist at this agency; however, on an informal basis, leadership development …