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

Quality Assurance

The process of data analysis goes hand in hand with the process of assessing the quality of interpretations and making accurate inferences from the data. This process is often referred to as validation and implies assessing the rigor of the methodological procedures used in the study. Validation is an important aspect of the research process because it makes the knowledge claims from the study more powerful and more

representative of the problem under investigation (Koshy et al., 2011 as cited by Ivankova, 2015).

To ensure the validity, quality and legitimacy of this study, the following quality assurance measures were conducted; a thorough examination of the activities associated with the conflict management strategies workshop by the researcher and co-facilitator, regular inspections and reviews of the study by dissertation committee co-chairs, and the researcher’s journal provided additional assurances through detailed description of methods, procedures and processes throughout the study. All data sources were stored in the secured office of the researcher which maintained privacy and prevented exposure of any confidential data. Pseudonyms and numbers were used to further protect the identities of the study participants.

Ethical Considerations

Ethical issues are present in any kind of research. The research process creates tension between the aims of research generalizations for the good of others, and the rights of participants to maintain privacy. Ethics pertains to doing good and avoiding harm. Harm can be prevented or reduced through the application of appropriate ethical principles. Thus, the protection of human subjects or participants in any research is imperative (Ord, Eisenhaur, & Wynaden, 2000).

Ethical issues were addressed at each stage of the implemented study. To ensure and maintain confidentiality, anonymity, privacy and identity protection of all study participants, the researcher employed the following steps: (1) all email correspondences were blind copied, (2) informed consent forms were presented and reviewed before the participants completed the questionnaires, engaged in the workshops, completed the

post-questionnaires/assessment and participated in the interviews, (3) all participants were assigned numbers and pseudonyms to protect their identities in all audio and written documentation, and (4) all participants were acknowledged by their numbers only in any discussions had during the implemented study.

The informed consent forms further addressed the measures used by the researcher to ensure confidentiality in this study. The researcher kept names and other identifying information private and confidential, used pseudonyms, removed any identifying information from transcripts and coded all data collected. Anyone not associated with the study would not know who provided the information or what the information contained.
Furthermore, the researcher asked the study participants to assist in maintaining the confidentiality of the action research study by not discussing the study or who the study participants were with anyone not associated with the research study. The study did not provide incentives and if any one of the participants wished to withdraw from any stage of the study at any given time, they could have without consequence. This ensured participants understood the study was completely voluntary and reduced the possibility of a participant feeling obligated or pressured to participate in the implemented study due to the role the researcher serves on campus as a faculty member and administrator.
Data was stored on the researcher’s personal external hard drive, personal computer which remained locked and password protected, and a filing box with key- only access by the researcher. For additional safety and security of all confidential information collected in this manner, these items were stored in a locked filing cabinet

in the work office of the researcher. The researcher is the only occupant in her work office with key access-only to both the office and locked cabinet, and her work office is locked at all times. All data collected, electronic and hardcopies, will continue to be securely stored during the required period of five years after publication and submission of the final report of the data collected, as stated by the IRB guidelines. Upon completion of those five years, all data will be destroyed.