RES-866-RS-M2-Transcript2.docx

College of Doctoral Studies

RES-866 Qualitative Analysis Assignment: Transcript 2

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Researcher: [00:00:01] OK we are recording now. The first purpose of my study is to investigate what factors of resilience our online doctoral graduates received influenced their successful completion.

Researcher: [00:00:14] So your information is able to my study that will help to create a profile online for students and how these inspectors can contribute to a successful completion. So, once I’m done with my study I will provide you with a case study summary including an individual resilience profile. So, it will be kind of cool and the interview will last about 30 to 60 minutes and that’s then about the average.

Researcher: [00:00:39] I will ask each question and then I’ll provide you with the opportunity to answer all. And then I will ask any questions after that. Since we are digitally recording it the only thing I need is just just as clearly as it were in a normal case you don’t have to go faster or slower than what’s comfortable for you. But I will let you finish what you’re saying before I respond or ask another question so you might hear a slight pause.

Researcher: [00:01:02] I’d just like make sure I don’t talk over here to try something. And then just in terms of confidentiality of course and your confidentiality will be maintained.

Researcher: [00:01:12] If and when any information from this interview is published and they final study and if I did quote you I’ll use an alias name for me to keep her and then any and all transcripts and recordings of the interview will be housed on my private password protected computer which is only these Loomis. And then of course you may end the interview at any time without any consequences.

Researcher: [00:01:34] Many questions. I don’t think so.

Researcher: [00:01:36] OK great. Go ahead and get started with questions here.

Researcher: [00:01:40] So the first set of questions is going to be about social support and then we move on to some situational questions. So, first during your program your doctoral program. What types of social support like moral support or any other types of social work did you receive your program?

1-C: [00:02:02] I think I had a lot of social support I mean my family my immediate family my husband was really supportive.

1-C: I mean I stopped working for the three years so that I could go back to school with my extended family like parents and uncles you know they were encouraging me and I think it helped too the first residency where we got to network with some people. I mean that’s when they were working out the kinks and the assignments didn’t really relate as much to our dissertation but it helped that I was able to meet three people in my group and we tried to keep in touch throughout the residencies and schedule the residencies together, touch base.

1-C: And then and one of the classes I was in a few other people reached out to me and said you know we’ve been kind of monitoring people in our classes and the ones that seem know they’re doing and you know respond to the discussion well. We started this little group and they invited me to be a part of their group. And it was just I can’t remember all the details but kind of like an online forum where we can log in and post things and kind of encourage each other and I think that to helped, about half of us I think ended up graduating on time. But you know I haven’t kept in touch with that group but a few of the few that were that I met that first-year residency I’ve kept in touch with.

Researcher: [00:03:31] OK and how would you describe the impact of that support from your peers. You know how important was that to you for your success. Do you believe.

1-C: [00:03:43] I think it was helpful because if someone was ahead in the process like one guy he had already had went through the board review and everything to get his approval to conduct research and a few of us asked. Can you share some pointers for us and him and I actually skyped said can you actually pull up your screen and show me what are the comments you’ve got. So you know I kind of know what to expect to have those all. So I think that was good. And then those of us that had already reached that milestone. You know we kind of helped the others out like avoid this or do these things to get through faster. And I think it was unique too because I think when we graduated in 2013 there was only like 50 of us total. So that’s kind of what they told me so I mean we were the guinea pigs. I believe.

Researcher: [00:04:36] 350 now. I think it’s more than that. So you mentioned a lot of extended family and immediate family. How do you feel their support impacted your completion?

1-C: [00:04:50] Well first of all if I would have been working full time I mean this would have been tough because is us there’s one woman that I worked with she’s I don’t know if she’s still at Grand Canyon but she was last year working on her Ph.D. and now she’s an assistant principal and it’s really hard for her to get everything done. Some of the other people in that group I was talking about they one of them had to drop out for work related things and a few others are like I’m getting behind or I’m going to have to postpone my research.

1-C: So I think that to help that I can kind of you know push forward because I waited till my son started kindergarten. He’s an only child. My husband worked during the day so I actually could be home alone to do this stuff so if I didn’t have that support you know an hour’s time to fit this in after work each day on the weekends I don’t know if I would have been able to finish.

Researcher: [00:05:43] And then one of the committee or faculty throughout the program and kinds of social support. Did you receive from those types of individuals?

1-C: [00:05:52] I think my committee was pretty good. I had a good chair. At first we kind of wrestled back and forth and I finally told her because I just her research know I need to find out you know kind of the credentials of these people what they’re doing.

1-C: [00:06:07] And she was adjunct. So, she worked at other colleges.

1-C: And she was trying to tell me well and I think because we were the guinea pig group she said you have to wait on these other cohorts. I said no that’s not what I understand that this is a self-paced individual thing if I’m ahead my group that I need to move ahead. And we butted heads a few times and I finally said this is what I want to do. You know you got to do this with me or I’m going to move on without you. And she finally said OK well you just do what you need to do. And then we brought on the methodologist and the content person and they were very supportive especially my methodologist.

1-C: [00:06:48] That was the area like I was really doing to need help and that woman I mean it would be like 10 p.m. her time or whatever. And she would answer the phone or she’d reply to my email.

1-C: [00:07:04] So I think I was very fortunate there because some people at one of the women that I still keep in touch with is that I started with the residency she is still not finished and she started in 2013 with me and a part of the issue has been her chair and I told her from the get go. You don’t have a good chair. You need to advocate for yourself and get someone else and she hasn’t.

1-C: [00:07:28] So you know seven years later she’s still spinning tires.

Researcher: [00:07:32] And what do you think in terms as I noted that actually myself that you really advocated for yourself what impact would you place on that impacting your ability to complete your program.

1-C: [00:07:44] I think that that’s at least 60 to 70 percent of it because I mean I think that’s the whole nature of this terminal degree is that if you wait for someone to walk you through the paces and say OK check that box and they have that checklist or whatever I think they keep modifying that they might have. Now we’re at this stage you should be doing these things that this stage you should be doing these things. That was helpful. But you know I feel like if you don’t tell your chair like by this day and this time I want to be this far along this process or your methodologist if it’s been two months and they haven’t returned your work then you need to reach out and say look if I don’t get feedback from you by this date you know I’m going to reach out to someone else for help because this is my degree and I want to get this thing done. So I think advocating for yourself has got at least, You know the 55-60 percent of that more than half or you won’t complete the degree.

Researcher: [00:08:44] OK. And then what about friends other than family or peers. What kinds of social support did you receive from any friends you may have had during your program?

1-C: [00:08:56] Well I don’t think my friends had any concept of what I was doing. So I mean I didn’t really share much of my academics with friends because they were not really you know that’s not something we had in common.

1-C: But I made sure that I did you know take a break and get some time away because if you don’t have that kind of balance between the work life you know you can burn out and won’t persevere.

Researcher: [00:09:24] Absolutely. Are there any other forms of social support you receive throughout your program other than friends’ family peers committee members and the other groups or individuals that you sought support from.

1-C: [00:09:40] I mean maybe Church like you know people keep you in prayer that you would be able to complete your degree and you know you keep saying you know I can do this I’ve got to just keep pushing it through. So maybe that other element.

Researcher: [00:09:53] How do you feel that impacted or helped you.

1-C: [00:09:57] I mean well so you know I mean that’s one of the reasons of the Grand Canyon is because of the Christian focus that you know I’m really that that you got to have that higher spiritual feeling like you know this is the reason I’m able to do this. And looking back at you know I still like I mean that really was God’s hand on my work because I mean everything for me went off without a hitch I started with in 2010.

1-C: [00:10:24] You know I made it through all the classes. I didn’t need one single extension class. I think I like the two-month break before the final class without requesting a formal extension so that I could myself some time for research and not have to pay for extension courses. But I mean I never had to change the chairs or methodologists or content person, I didn’t have to keep redoing things and get turned down for approval.

1-C: [00:10:52] You know people were pretty active participating in my research. So I feel like you know that had to be divine intervention because so many other people you know are like it’s eight years and I’m still trying to finish this thing and I did it in three one and done.

Researcher: [00:11:09] It’s definitely it’s amazing to do that. So these are kind of more situational questions. But first off when you were presented with particularly difficult challenges or obstacles throughout your journey what types of strategies did you use to stay optimistic during these times.

1-C: [00:11:30] Well I’m one of the people that just persevered. You know I’m an Army veteran so that side, being a civilian is all a walk in the park after. I’ve been in two infantry divisions. So it wasn’t that hard for me to stay optimistic because like I said I knew that that was basically my job that my husband said you know take a sabbatical. This is something you’ve always wanted to do. Go for it. So I could stay optimistic that way.

1-C: Knowing that I could do it. But also the biggest actor I think was just the autonomy that I was going to be the captain of my ship and somebody else who was trying to steer course. I’m like sorry you’re not in charge here because I want we get this thing done. The chair I have eight other people I’m not worried about them. I told her that I’m worried about me. So if you can’t help me get this done. And you know we’re going to have to find a solution or a replacement.

Researcher: [00:12:30] When these types of things happen. And you know you really had to step up to stay optimistic to stay moving forward. How do you think that your strategies influence maybe your future experiences outside of your doctoral program that they changed the way you approach things and how they get?

1-C: [00:12:53] Our strategies are being optimistic. I think that’s you know what I’ve always applied to my life I think is that I just have that can-do attitude and that you know now I have my degree. I mean it’s been very beneficial. But it is kind of like a two-edged sword. The school I work for now as the online school.

1-C: [00:13:17] There are actually three other of my coworkers that have degrees and we just presented in January at a faculty meeting about you know pursuing your education and we both all of us shared it I never really I guess voiced that until someone else voiced that is that people look to us now as the expert which they mentioned in the program and I guess I was like I’m not an expert but it’s something about you know the letters behind your name it’s magical to people and they want to look to you for all the answers. And I think I spend a part of time saying well I’m not you know I don’t have all the answers I’m not omnipotent omniscient all this stuff. I just you know do the best I can and that’s all you can ask is do your best.

Researcher: [00:14:06] OK. And then how would you describe your overall attitude toward approaching difficult situations throughout your program.

1-C: [00:14:14] I think I just have a can-do attitude. I don’t have a fatalist view about things that you know.

1-C: If you find the right strategies I say ask the right person the right thing at the right time. You know and you’ve done your homework and know kind of thinking ahead. Be proactive what you need to do that you’ll be successful.

1-C: I mean it’s not you know a lot of things don’t just happen it’s through the hard work and perseverance.

Researcher: [00:14:44] And then overall how do you feel this level of optimism your can-do attitude. How do you feel that impacted or contributed to your overall success in your program?

1-C: [00:14:55] I mean it definitely helped me get through because I mean there are times that people are well like this example my chair said you’re going to need an APA editor and I said no I’m not. And she’s like oh I’ve never had a person get through all of this stuff and get final approval without an APA editor I said well I’m the English teacher and this is what I teach. If I can’t write well enough then I don’t need to be teaching this to my students. I don’t need an editor I’ve got this. And she likes that chair you know this was after the part where she’s like OK you’re the captain I’m going to let you go forward. And you know I went through everything the first time we got all my approval and she said Well 1-C you did it and I can say I’ve never seen anyone ever do this before.

1-C: [00:15:44] So you know I feel like that that was my optimism and assurance of myself that you know I can do this. I’ve got the skills I need to be successful.

Researcher: [00:15:56] OK. And then aside from just attitude, what types of coping methods did you use when you were presented with stressful or difficult situations how did you just coped overall.

1-C: [00:16:09] Now one thing is to walk away. Not permanently, temporarily. Is that just get the feedback. When you first see all that red. Or you know all of those comments like oh you know those comments and we’re where one person’s in blue one person in red and you’re like oh God what this. This is a lot. Is just you know close the document take a day or two off and then come back and then you know those smart goals have those small steps like OK?

1-C: First I’m going to look at the content person because I feel like that that’s an area where it’s not a foreign language to me. So, you know make those changes and then tackle maybe the methodologist part next. And then what your chair says after that is just you know to take time to let it marinate and then come back in in small chunks where it’s manageable so that you don’t get overwhelmed and then have that like I said those goals that you measure like this date two weeks from now I want this to the methodology just do I want to start getting my feedback. I think that helps a lot.

Researcher: [00:17:23] And then overall how do you feel your ability to cope like this. How do you feel that impact of your success?

1-C: [00:17:30] Yeah I think that was big because if you’re a person that can’t handle stress that this is not going to be for you because I mean that’s why what two percent of the population that’s terminal degree.

1-C: I mean you’ve got to be sure of yourself because when someone keeps telling you what you’re not doing right then you have to know OK this is constructive feedback. I have to be able to incorporate this, make changes. I mean ultimately you’ve got to keep all your people happy so that they sign off on your dissertation.

1-C: But I mean you got to be your biggest cheerleader and say OK I know I can do this.

Let me see what they’re trying to say. Is this something that I agree with. That I can move forward with. And if not you know what can I get back with them and we can reach some kind of consensus. And I found that help me not the content guy. He said something about online schools and I said well I don’t know if I agree with you on that. Can you show me some research that supports it? My research says this. And we did come to a consensus that OK maybe you’re right on that area. I’ll concede there.
So I think that part help to cope is that I mean you’re going to get a lot of feedback that kind of beat you down in military said it breaks you down to build you up so they break but you build yourself back up.

Researcher: [00:18:50] Absolutely. And what personal characteristic of your own do you feel most impacted your ability to complete your program.

1-C: [00:19:03] I guess that self the self-starter in a way where you take the initiative however you have that coded there that like I said you rely on someone else to be the captain of your ship then you’re not going to get it done or it’s going to take you years and years to get it done. So you got to be in charge and do what needs to be done. I mean know when to go forward and when to kind of step back and take the feedback with definitely you know be the in charge of things.

Researcher: [00:19:38] We’re kind of going off in a different direction. What types of physical activities did you participate in throughout your program?

1-C: [00:19:46] Not enough I can tell you that I kept getting fatter.

1-C: [00:19:49] And in retrospect I would say you need to get out and walk you know do something that’s not academic. And I know a people on my committee said you know you put your life on hold for a little while but it helps to try to strike that balance because I mean I spent the last year when I completed my degree I spent Christmas Eve all pretty much all day and all night on the computer and watched the sun come up Christmas morning and working on the study so I recommend that you know is walk around so you don’t get the blood clot and die before you finish dissertation. Exercise is important for the body just like the brain in that I don’t think that I did enough of the physical part.

Researcher: [00:20:37] How do you think that impacted you. You know the lack of physical activity.

1-C: [00:20:42] Well while I gained about 40 pounds.

1-C: [00:20:45] But other than that I mean I didn’t see you know that much of a you know that it was detrimental because like I said I didn’t work so it wasn’t like I had that extra stress. I would definitely recommend trying to stay in shape too because that will help with the stamina to finish.

Researcher: [00:21:05] OK. And then if you can estimate how often you know maybe per week how many days per week do you think that you did try to do some type of physical activity.

1-C: [00:21:14] Maybe one or two. Because my son was young so I would try, and you know get out with him and go to the park or run around the house or something but not as much as I did before that or that I’m done after that for sure.

Researcher: [00:21:29] And then how much time did you take for yourself. This is a hard one. just yourself each week during your program.

1-C: [00:21:40] Probably not much at all because my time you know like I try to cram everything in and in that day from like 7 to 7 a.m. 3 p.m. when my son was at school because I knew when he came home that you know I wasn’t going to get much done or on the weekends. They were wanting to be going to be going places. Not that much time for myself.

Researcher: [00:22:03] If you did take time for yourself what kinds of activities did you do.

1-C: [00:22:12] Maybe like going see a movie or talking on the phone with a friend or going out to dinner or something like that.

Researcher: [00:22:20] OK and how do you feel that impacted your progress. You know when you did when you were able to take this time for yourself, how do you feel that impacted you.

1-C: [00:22:28] I think it helped because if you don’t have that break for you know some that that mental break to keep yourself sane that you know you may get overwhelmed and might not push through. So that’s definitely important to me. I’m sure I didn’t do a lot of things I should have done like exercise and take time for myself. Those are important things to remember.

Researcher: [00:22:55] You mentioned earlier setting goals for yourself. How did you recognize each success that you achieved throughout the program whether it was a goal you sad or a milestone? How did you recognize those successes?

1-C: [00:23:09] You mean my how did I celebrate those.

Researcher: [00:23:11] Or just any type of recognition. How did you personally do that?

1-C: [00:23:16] For me I’m not a person that I think needs like oh these celebrations. I think as I’m getting older I recognized that you need to you know be happy for the things you accomplish. But mostly I was just like yes I can check that box off and I will owe X amount of less money when I finish. So I think that was a part of that. I just want it enough to get done that I wasn’t like oh yeah, now I can start my research or start my final chapters and you know telling everyone about that.

1-C: [00:23:51] Just was more of a personal thing for me that I want it to be done with it and just move on. so much time to recognize that or are celebrated just check that box. Next step.

Researcher: [00:24:06] Then how would you describe the level of control that you have over your dissertation journey.

1-C: [00:24:14] Like a scale of one to five with five being you’re in charge of all of this I was probably a five because I think for a lot of reasons that what many of us in this school because the program was so new and they don’t even offer my degree any more effective schools and two I mean that’s just my personality that I’m going to do it then I’m going to be in charge of this. We’re going to make sure we get it done.
1-C So I felt like the school was pretty good you know about saying OK well if this is what you need to do you know take this and run with it and they did take our feedback like some of those forms were kind of cumbersome and we were like What do you need all the steps or is this really helpful. And they would kind of go back to the drawing board on something. So I felt like that I wasn’t just a cog in the wheel that we could be in control.

Researcher: [00:25:08] How do you feel that was important to your success and the ability to give that feedback and have it listened to.

1-C: [00:25:14] I think crucial and I work for Grand Canyon now as one of the supervisors from teacher candidates and I think that that’s one of the reasons you know I’m an alumni and now an adjunct is that you feel like you know you are a part of the decision making process. And I know people that went to other schools.

1-C: [00:25:51] I mean I just like Grand Canyon as is modeling that you know continuous improvement model that we want to do better. We seek feedback and then we incorporate that to do better.

1-C So you do feel like you have some control that you know you want to into the system and do things that I don’t think a lot of other schools have that same ideology.

Researcher: [00:26:15] And then during or throughout your doctoral program can you describe your feelings about your ability to complete your program.

1-C: [00:26:25] I mean I knew that I could do it if I set my mind to it. You know I could do it.

1-C: [00:26:30] I was hoping it wouldn’t take six or seven years like some people told me I said three years is the goal they said you can do it in three years and I’m going to set my mind to it.

1-C: So, I mean I thought like you know I have an attitude of OK this is what I need to do. And then you know kind of pulling people along coordinating saying this is what I need you to help me do ultimately you know help me make it through.

Researcher: [00:26:57] OK. And then why do you feel that you felt that way. You know what. What can you attribute the fact that you knew that you could do this? Why would why would you feel that way.

1-C: [00:27:13] I guess that’s the kind of that intrinsic motivation that I think it’s you know that’s one of the qualities you find that doctoral that people that have a terminal degree have that. I mean you willing to just strike out on your own and set your own course and get things done that if you’re one of those let’s collaborate kind of people which I mean there’s nothing wrong with that. I like collaborating too.

1-C: But if you’re one of those that you know that’s not going to help you get through when this is your research that this is things you have to complete so you have to want it yourself and not have people say oh you need to complete this degree this will help you in your career or something like that you know like people say oh you need to lose weight let me help you. You don’t want to do it. That is not going to get done.

Researcher: [00:28:08] and then you touched on this a little bit but how would you describe your level of spirituality throughout your program.

1-C: 00:28:17] Well I’m a Christian and I think that definitely helps you know to just say look I’m feeling really beat down and weak now. You know when you can pray or have other people pray for you and lift you up and I think that helps.

1-C: [00:28:33] And part of my dedication in my dissertation you know I will that that I think you know just like through Christ you can do all things. I said I think that God really had his hand on my work because all these people tell me these horror stories and I’m thinking well that didn’t happen to me Oh I’m so glad that didn’t happen to me like you know I can’t take credit for all that happened.

Researcher: [00:28:59] And then how do you think that that high level of spirituality influenced your motivation or your desire to complete your program.

1-C: [00:29:08] I don’t know that it had that much influence on my motivation. Like I said I think I have intrinsic motivation where I motivate myself. Whereas not trying to get other people to motivate me so I don’t know that it had that much effect on it.

Researcher: [00:29:25] OK. And then if you had to pick maybe one or two things that had the most impact on your success throughout your program what would that be.

1-C: [00:29:39] One thing is self-advocate definitely advocate for yourself. That’s going to get you far.

1-C: And the other thing is you know find a support system and strategies that work for you that if you need to take a day or week off and then come back and look at the feedback and say you know I can do this or if you feel like you can’t do it then reach out and ask someone that maybe they’re not even in the program but they’re just a spouse or friend like I just need you just help me out here like tell me I can do this or take me to a movie so I can take my mind off this or something. I think that the second thing is just you know find a system that works for you or it being a support system of people or you know steps like by this day I want to have this completed by this month that be this far along, and advocate for yourself.

Researcher: [00:30:42] And then I just have one more question. And how did you feel that your doctoral program changed you as a person.

1-C: [00:30:54] Well I think you know different levels like looking at it professionally. I see now that people look to me as a as the expert in my field.

1-C: [00:31:04] You know I’m trying to live up to that or take a vacation because they’re always asking me things that I’m like please. You know get some time off here. So definitely you know I’m I feel I think people look to me for some of the answers and it’s helped give me that kind of a broad picture I feel like I can see from a different vantage point. Education Now that I’ve gotten that degree and I feel like that translates into my teaching as well that I can help students with some of those things like when they’re struggling with writing or citations or getting the feedback and feeling beat down you know I empathize with them that you know I’ve been there too sometimes I’ll show them that big binder you know you can get your dissertation in the hardcover and say see this thing, this was three years of my life and a lot of people telling me I changed this way at that. So, if I can do this. You know you can do this too.

1-C: [00:32:03] And on a personal level I mean so I’d say now I’m trying to get myself back in shape. And still that residual of you know OK. Every moment. I don’t have to be reading academic journals or trying to write something or trying to get something published or whatever it’s OK for me to read a book that I want to read go somewhere I want to go. So I think that that for me that’s one of the things that I’m working on I mean now four years out there you know you gotta still unplug disconnect from this.

Researcher: 00:32:40] OK great. Well that was it for my questions. Do you have any other comments you want to make or any other questions that you might have?

1-C: [00:32:47] Some wish you all the luck in your research. I know you’ll do great.

Researcher: [00:32:51] thank you. I hope so. Oh, great well And I really again I really appreciate your time today and it’s definitely very valuable. And like I said I will share the information from my study and that case study summary for you. And then my dissertation will be published in ProQuest so you can access there you so desire to read it or look at it. Any other questions?

11-C: [00:33:14] Qualitative I would never go that route. I don’t think so I think you answered all but if you need me you know I’m available you just give me a call or e-mail I’ll be glad to provide a clarification or whatever you need.

Researcher: 00:33:30] Great. Likewise, definitely please give me a call. Send me an email if you have any other follow up questions or comments or any other concerns Okay.

1-C: [00:33:37] Okay thanks. Thank you very much. Have a great day. All right. That

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