Research paper: First Generation College Students
In my 2019 spring semester at James Madison University, myself along with three other students, conducted research on first generation college students. Our topic and focus being how first generation college students create meaning and develop their identity in college. To clarify, first generation students are those who are "the first in their immediate family to attend college". This was a qualitative research project for a course known as qualitative communication research methods (SCOM 385). We interviewed 20 JMU students, 18 and older. This research project taught me how to conduct interviews, collect data, and time management. If you click the link below "First Gen Research", you will see our final paper along with our findings.
First Generation Data/Coding
To collect and analyze our data for the first generation research paper, I transcribed the interviews and then transferred them into coding using open, axial, and selective coding. Coding is a way to select passages from within your data, identify concepts and the find a relationship between them. This allowed us to use a thematic analysis approach in which we collect data, code the data, and then identify themes within. Our three themes were: support systems, emerging independence, and motivations of success. Click on the link below, "Coding", to see our collection of data.
Case Study: Mindsets of a Leader
In a Leadership Communication (SCOM 425) course I took, myself and four others did a case study on an article called "The Mindsets of a Leader". After spending the semester learning about leadership and the many styles or approaches that come with leadership, we applied our knowledge by analyzing this article. We broke down six different mindsets and explored how trait leadership along with servant leadership could be compared and applied. To read our final case study, click the link below, "Case Study".
