Data Analysis

For the qualitative part, the study will adopt Colaizzi(1985) for data analysis. This
method of textual analysis involves seven main steps, which include the following:
1. Interview Transcription and Initial readings
In the first step of Colaizzis method, interviews will be transcribed verbatim aided by the
recordings of the interviews. After transcribing, the recording and transcriptions will be revisited
prior to data analysis to ascertain their accuracy. Differences in wording can develop a difference
in the meaning and essence of the phenomenon and this will be considered (Edward & Welch,
2011; Tanja, 2011; Beck, 2008). After transcription, interview data will be read several times to
gain a sense of the essence of the phenomena.
2. The Extraction of Significant Statements.
Significant statements were highlighted and coded in vivo and with initial understandings
and key words attached. Reading and initial coding will be aided with the use of QDA miner lite
(version 1.4). Significant statements and their initial codes were then extracted using the QDA
software.
3. Formulation of Meanings
Using the significant statements, the researcher formulated meanings. The meanings will
be formulated outside of QDA, using a word processor. The researcher will pursue the true
meaning of each statement by formulating the meanings of the phenomena adjacent to the
verbatim transcriptions. Each statement will examined with the original transcript to ensure that
meanings where not out of context or misinterpreted. The analysis of data was also compared
with other statements to examine for similarities and differences.

4. Development of Theme Clusters.

Once initial codes where the significant statements that had been initially coded and
attached meaning, they will re-examined, and recoded to general themes. A table will be made
for each theme or theme cluster to clarify what is happening in each theme and to aid in creating
an exhaustive description of the phenomena.
5. Creation of an Exhaustive description.
During the fifth stage of data analysis, an exhaustive description was made for each of the
themes, which have emerged from the study. To further enhance descriptions, the researcher will
continuously internalize questions while reading and analyzing the data. Answers to these
questions were supported with the verbatim descriptions. These questions are similar to the
following (Polit& Beck, 2006, p. 400):
a) What is this?
b) What is going on/ Happening (during this point in time)?
c) Who experiences this?
d) What makes this (portion) similar to others?
e) What makes this (portion of the experience) unique from others?
f) How did the respondents feel when (portion) happened?
g) What did the respondent do in response?

6. Identifying the fundamental structure of the phenomenon.

With this step in Colaizzis method, descriptions of the themes were reduced in such a
way to eliminate redundancy and delineate or clarify the themes. The fundamental structure of

the phenomena, emerging from elimination, will be the backbone. Amendments will be applied
as needed to further enhance the description.
After creating the description, key areas or key points of improvement were identified.
These were aspects of the phenomena that might require clarity or further explanation by the
participants of the study. The researcher will note these points and formulated follow up
questions. Data from written follow up questions were then reorganized and coded similar to the
first few steps of Colaizzis method, and integrated into the thick description. Examples of
written follow up may be found at the appendices.
After editing of the descriptions, the theme titles will be renamed to appropriately reflect
the theme of the experience as a whole. Thoughtful consideration will be given to naming the
themes, and the researcher will follow the advice of Strauss & Corbin (1998), which states:
the conceptual name or label should be suggested by the context in which the event is located
(pg. 106). Using this advice, the themes will be renamed as closely as possible to the words of
the participants (Polit& Beck, 2008).
7. Returning to respondents for validation.
After the finalization of themes and their descriptions, the researchers will return to the
original participants to validate the themes. This will provide the respondents for an opportunity
to comment on the correctness of what has been described of their experience and means to
improve the description. This will be accomplished by giving each respondent an individual copy
of the findings of the study, and through an additional validation sheet. The comments and
suggestions made by respondents will be integrated into the final description of the phenomenon.