Assume that you are hired as a researcher to provide consultation to the university in helping the institution to better support the students. Based on interviews with school administrators, you have concluded that the university is interested in improving student retention and graduation rates. You have also formed the operational theory that student retention is influenced by general and academic adjustment, including financial and living conditions of the students.
You are asked to conduct a qualitative study, either through one-on-one interviews (at least three students) or a focus group (at least five students). In preparation for your study, answer the following questions:
Assess if your research is confirmatory or exploratory in nature. What is the orientation of your research, and why?
Provide your rationale for selecting data collection methods through focus group or direct interview. How did you address some of the main disadvantages of your approach?
What are some of the questions that you are planning to ask during the focus group meeting or the interview? How will you analyze your collected data?

Sample Solution