A constructive Approach to Managing Faculty Conflict: An Action Research Study

Figure 1.5 Visual Diagram of the Concurrent Quan + Qual MMAR Study Design

Quantitative data collection Qualitative data collection

Quantitative data analysis Qualitative data analysis
Interpretation

Population/Sample. The criteria for selection of the participants for the conflict management strategies workshop, involved the same instrument used in the reconnaissance phase of the study, purposeful sampling to “select information rich” participants who have knowledge of or experience with the studied phenomenon (Ivankova, 2015). The purpose of sampling is to ensure that the selected people and informational sources adequately reflect the characteristics of the population for whom the study results are intended (Ivankova, 2015; Mertens, 2005).

Based on the criteria of the purposeful sampling, the researcher selected forty faculty and administrators to receive an email invitation to participate in this mixed methods action research study (see Appendix A). Close to half (n=X) expressed interest and four participants requested more information concerning the study. The researcher spoke with these individuals by phone, ensuring confidentiality to answer questions that allowed them to make a well-informed decision regarding study participation. As a result, ten out of the forty invited, agreed to participate in the study.

Data Collection Procedures

The quantitative and qualitative data collected in the implemented study included a pre-questionnaire prior to workshop participation, two post-questionnaires at the completion of both implemented workshops, an overall workshop assessment, the co-facilitators observational notes, and the researcher’s journal. In Table 1, the researcher has provided how the data was collected in response to the posited research questions.

Table 1-Combined Mixed Method-Data Sources