Through independent research, mentored projects, and coursework, I have built diverse skills in both qualitative and quantitative methods. Below are highlighted examples of methods I am competent using.
Qualitative Methods Ethnographic Field Design: I designed a three month field study in Europe where I conducted the majority of data collection on my own and led a small team of multi-lingual researchers for one month through southern Europe. Together, we recruited participants and completed 40 interviews using an interview guide I constructed and pilot tested prior to field work. Interviews were designed using five question approaches (situation narratives, repisodes, examples, subjective definitions, and argumentative-theoretical statements). Following field research, I transcribed and coded all interviews to prepare for analysis.
Discourse Analysis: With training in anthropology, I have used discourse analysis to examine the themes and speech patterns from interview data. Using this approach allows researchers to detect themes and cultural meaning not always explicit in data. I used metaphor analysis in multiple studies to examine speech metaphors that represent a shared and accepted meaning of a particular construct. For example, among emerging adults, a common metaphor for leisure was a valuable resource that could be exchanged in an economic tradeoff fashion for other valuable experiences and outcomes such as identity capital and relationship building.
Content Analysis: In order to review theory or specific variables in qualitative data, content analysis can be used to verify and compare presence and prominence of variables. I have used this method in multiple projects in order to examine the features of emerging adulthood in a leisure context, the program outcomes for adolescents studying abroad in Cambodia, and to compare the director goals with outcomes perceived by participants in family military programs.
Quantitative Methods Meta-analysis: As a part of a mentored project led by my advisor Dr. Camilla Hodge, I helped complete a meta-analysis of family leisure, quality, and function. I took part in the search processes, exclusion steps, coding, data analysis, hypothesis testing, and results write-up. I am currently working on a systematic review of emerging adult leisure in hopes of building toward a meta-analysis.
Longitudinal Analysis: I am currently working with Dr. Linda Caldwell to examine data from the prevention program, Healthwise, conducted in South Africa. This adolescent prevention program followed treatment and control groups from middle school to high school to analyze program impact on leisure time use, alcohol and drug abuse, and risky sexual behavior. I am using a survival analysis to test the impact of boredom (both trait and state) on sexual risk and substance use. This model will eventually be used to test intervention effects. Individual program components have not been isolated to understand which aspects of the program impact specific targets. This projects identifies which risks may be impacted by addressing boredom in a longitudinal survival model.
Evaluation Program Evaluation: Working under the mentorship of Dr. Mat Duerden, we completed annual evaluation for Global Explorers, a youth study abroad program focused on environmental issues and cultural exposure. We worked closely with agency directors to review goals, program outcomes, and gaps in program processes. After reviewing both qualitative and quantitative data, we presented data summaries and recommendations to employees at an annual program evaluation meeting.
Special Events: As an event coordinator for a local municipality, I was responsible for program evaluation including questionnaire design, distribution, analysis, and reporting. As a part of this process, I became familiar with how to form evaluation questionnaires to draw out meaningful responses from participants and then use the data to improve the next event and develop effective reports for stakeholders less familiar with the programming process.
Experimental Design: At Brigham Young University, I worked closely with Dr. Peter Ward to implement a quasi-experimental design using youth sport to develop resilience skills among participants in late childhood and early adolescence. I was responsible for training volleyball and soccer coaches in field skills necessary for incorporating resilience skills into their practices and coaching methods. I visited treatment sites during program implementation and helped coaches evaluate and improve their treatment delivery.