NEW ERA UNIVERSITY

No. 9 Central Ave., New Era, Quezon City

1107, Philippines

THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF DEANS OF A UNIVERSITY AIMING FOR EXCELLENCE: A

QUALITATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL RESEARCH STUDY

Presented to:

DR. DIANA LEE TRACY K. CHAN

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Deans, managers, head officials, principals, and all other terminologies that may

apply to all academic heads that rose from the ranks, evoke an impression of high

regard from most people who witnessed their successes in their career as teachers and

to some extent, intriguing questions would come out as a result of their curiosity and

admiration. “What actually separates them from the rest?”, “Why them?” What are

their secrets?”, “What characteristics do they possess as effective leaders especially in

an institution that aims for culture of excellence in providing the educational needs of a

very ambitious and dynamic community in the heart of university belt? and “How can

they handle the pressures of the title attached to their positions? These inquiries

became provocative statements that leave the researcher to seek for more relevant and

subjective answers that would led to deeper understanding of their professional

insights and experiences.

 Researchers undoubtedly believe that to be placed in the position as dean of a

college, is already proof of being an excellent leader. They all possess the qualities

needed for such prestigious position.

According to K. Decklein (2010), Leadership can be learned. We all have

leadership potentials, some people may be better than others, but each of us has a

starting point to build on with adequate training and practice. People do not have to be

officially designated as a leader of a group to be an effective leader. A person who

exhibits leadership is someone that makes things happens that would not happen

otherwise.

However, the researchers are no longer interested on finding effective

leadership styles; much have been talked about and analysed about characteristics of

effective leaders. Each dean certainly has their own leadership style and became

successful in implementing this in their own respective institutions. A.D. Edwards

(2011), says that learning is never ending lifelong process and leaders in all types of

positions will always be considered active learners. Every day is a learning experience

for them. Every day they are in the process of trial and error, successes and failures.

Being in a leadership position is a never ending learning experience since the people

they meet each day are dynamic people of the future. They need to respond to the

changing needs of these clients whom they bound to serve and satisfy from the moment

they seat on their chairs. Thus, the researchers need to deeply understand more and

explore the meaning that current experiences hold for each subject until this very

significant point in time of their professional career. Researchers are inspired to learn
more from each dean’s never ending battle for excellence in educational arena. Indeed,

the researchers in this phenomenological study complemented by quantitative study at

the end part of their inquiries want to dig more significant phenomena based on the

qualities of humanness; such as individualism, self-determination, wholeness, values

and uniqueness.

It is within this line that the researchers wish to further explore phenomena

behind, what is it really like for a dean to lead an institution that works for culture of

excellence? And how do they cope up with the challenges that these difficult days of

competitiveness and dynamism are offering?

ASSUMPTION

Deans and Heads of different departments in a university have diverse insights

and experiences in all their years of being a dynamic leader for excellence in educational

system they belong.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

In line with the objective of discovering and describing the insights and

experiences of selected deans of different colleges, the following phenomenological

problems are hereby stated:

1. What is it like for a dean to lead an institution that works for culture of excellence?

2. What are the insights and experiences gained by the deans in an educational system
 at this point in time of their professional career?

3. What emerging phenomena could be discovered from insights and experiences of

these respected leaders?

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

This study will describe the lived experiences and insights of all the deans of

different colleges of New Era University, Central Avenue, New Era, Quezon City.

The study is a combination of qualitative phenomenological research study and

quantitative study. Data gathering method include: semi-structured interview, focused

group discussion and a questionnaire with an open-ended question that will be used for

triangulation of the result. Participant selection method will be through a non-

probability purposive sampling wherein the participants will be the deans of the

different colleges of New Era University. The study will be conducted from May to June,

2017.

The study is limited only to describe lived experiences and insight of the different

deans of NEU. The related literature used for the start of this study is limited only to the

available empirical literature. This is to give the researchers an overview orientation of

how to conduct phenomenological study. The researchers explicated all other related

literature so as to avoid preconceived bias and result that will alter the course of the

study and the phenomenon.

 Quantitative research method will follow as soon as thematic and content

analyses have been identified. The researchers in this part will organize, interpret and

analyze numerical data that would give rise to emerging phenomena relevant to one of

the statements of the problem in this study. Phenomena will further be analyzed to

establish relationships or until hypotheses emerge. Then the hypotheses will be tested

using quantitative method.

THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL LITERATURE

Phenomenology is sometimes considered a philosophical perspective as well as

an approach to qualitative methodology. It has a long history in several social research

disciplines including psychology, sociology and social work. In 2006, Trochim described

Phenomenology as a school of thought that emphasizes a focus on people's subjective

experiences and interpretations of the world. That is, the phenomenologist wants to

understand how the world appears to others.

Phenomenological studies examine human experiences through the descriptions

that are provided by the people involved. These experiences are called “lived

experiences”. The goal of this type of research is to describe the meaning that

experiences hold for each subject (Cohen, 1990).

Ambrosio (2009) explained that phenomenological study supports the re-

examination of a taken-for-granted experience and, through examining the qualities of

the experience, allows us to identify its essence. Therefore, the goal of

phenomenological research is not to describe a grand theory or develop a model but to

describe accurately a person’s ‘lived’ experience in relation to what is being studied.

The information (data) for analysis is collected primarily through interviews,

stories or observations with the relevant people who have had that experience, that is,

the research participants.

Interviews will be transcribed and, after data has been collected from several

people, interpretation (data analysis) can be carried out. This may be done using a

number of approaches, with the aim of identifying meaningful information and

categorising this into a set of themes once all texts have been analysed. These themes

will be issues that are common between several participants.

Abantao (2003) talked about that qualitative sampling strategies are fluid and

flexible and are intentionally and thoughtfully revised as the data analysis suggests new

avenues to explore or aspects that need additional focus. These strategies are used to

seek a detailed and rich understanding of the aspect under the study. This process

continues until the information shared by participants has become redundant and no

new information is being added; at this point, the researchers identifies that saturation

has occurred. Saturation of data is the point in data collection at which the data become

repetitive and no new information or participants is being added.

It also discussed that the sample size is usually dictated by the process of data

analysis in qualitative research; data saturation is an example. The size of the sample in

a qualitative study is dictated by the method of the study and the complexity of the
phenomenon of interest. Because the data collection methods in qualitative research

yield much data from each participant, the sample sizes in this type of research are

usually smaller that in quantitative research. The composition and richness of the setting

and participants, rather than the sample size, tell us how useful the results of qualitative

study may be with our own patients. In general, qualitative samples tend to use fewer

than 50 participants. Some methods might only require two to five participants. The

sampling strategy and the complexity of the phenomenon of interest also dictate

sample size in qualitative research.

Field and Morse (2001) explained that the subjects in phenomenological

research are asked to describe their experiences as they perceive them. In order to

understand the lived experiences from the vantage point of the subject, the researcher

must first identify what she or he expects to discover and then deliberately put aside

this idea. This process is called “ bracketing”. Only when the researcher puts aside her or

his own ideas about the phenomenon will it be possible to see the experience from the

eyes of the person who has lived the experience.

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

The researchers will attempt to utilize combination of qualitative and

quantitative research methods in this study. Porter,E.J. (2001) had called for nurse

researchers to combine “numbers and stories”. Combining both qualitative and

quantitative methods increases the researcher’s ability to rule out rival explanations for
phenomena (Hinds,1989). Field and Morse (2002) asserted that the strongest research

findings are found in studies that use both research methods.

The researchers will initially utilize a qualitative phenomenological approach to

the study to describe and extract significant phenomena from the subject participants,

which is the lived experience being the dean of a particular institute or until hypotheses

emerge. Then the hypotheses will be tested using quantitative method.

The study will be conducted at New Era University, Quezon City. The researchers

will utilize a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The participants of the study

must meet only one significant criterion which is to be currently holding the position as

dean of the institute regardless of years. The researchers will continue to elect these

participants to the time the point of saturation is achieved. Point of saturation according

to Polit (2008), data occurs when a sense of closure is attained because new data yield

redundant information.

Instrumentation

The researchers utilized an in depth interview and participant-observer approach

for data gathering. Semi-structured interview with open-ended questions for the major

points and probing questions when deemed necessary to the participants. According to

Polit and Beck (2008), an interview is a purposeful face to face relationship between

two persons, one of whom asks questions and the other supplies the information asked
for. In semi-structured interview, the researchers asked open-ended questions first so

that the interviewee will be able to fully and freely discuss their experiences or expertise

about the topic on hand. Then series of guide questions were asked to the interviewee

so that necessary data can be extracted.

Data Gathering Procedure

Prior to actual data collection, the researchers explicated his or her thoughts,

feelings and perception about the phenomena and do the bracketing. According to

Speciale (2003), bracketing is the cognitive process of putting aside own beliefs, not

making judgements about what one has observed or heard, and remaining open to the

data as they are revealed. The researchers also did journaling procedure so as to

promote awareness of the potential judgements that may occur during data collection

process.

As part of the process, upon approval by the University Research Center, the

researchers will make formal letter addressed to the President of New Era University

noted by the research committee chairperson and the dean of the Graduate school.

This contains the intent of the researchers to conduct the study to the said institution.

Attached to the letter is the complete research proposal approved by the University

Research Center.
 The researchers will make separate formal letter addressed to the deans of the

different colleges enclosed with approval letter from the university president.

Collaborative effort with the deans will be utilized in scheduling their most convenient

time for interview and participant observations. The general question that will be asked

during the interview would be “How do you describe your experience as dean of the

institute?” From this general question, the researchers will seek deeper into the

experience of the participant and will ask probing questions to better quantify and

qualify the raw data. As in many qualitative studies, the researchers begin interpreting

data as data are collected, Thomas (2005).

All participants of the study will be given an orientation prior to the conduct of

interview; this is done to provide the participants the necessary information such as the

purpose of the study to provide disclosure and to establish a trusting relationship. The

participants was given an option if they want to accept or refuse being part of the study.

Once chosen, the researcher made an agreement with the participants that all data and

information surfacing from the study will be treated with confidentiality. Right to

anonymity and right to no harm will also be ensured throughout the course of the study.

The first step to be implemented will be the interview of participants. This was

conducted during their office hours so that the researchers will also be part of their

routine management functions. The researchers will play a participant-observer role.

According to Sandelowski (1995), this role gives the researchers the privilege to

participate, interact and observe the participants o the study. During the course of data

gathering, the researchers did the memoing. Memoing, according to Wilson and
Hutchinson (2001), is an important data source in qualitative research. This is the

process where the researchers does the field notes of what the researchers hears, sees,

experiences and thinks in the course of collecting on the process. Researchers are easily

absorbed in the data-collection process and may fail to reflect on what is happening.

However, it is important that the researchers maintain balance between descriptive

notes and reflective notes, such as hunches, impressions, feelings and so on.

Data Explication Method

The data explication method used for this study is Giorgi's method of data

explication.  The researcher gathered the data through an interview of the participants

then collate them.  According to Giorgi (2000), these steps are: first, the entire

description is read to get the sense of the whole statement, second, once the gestalt has

been grasped, the researcher attempts to differentiate between meaning units and

centres on the phenomenon under study, third, once the meaning units have been

illuminated, the researcher expresses the insights that is contained in them, and lastly,

the researchers integrate the transformed meaning units into a consistent statement

about the participant's experience, this is called the structure of experience.

REFERENCES

Abantao ,L.V. & Hana, J.T. (2005).Basic Foundation in Leadership and Management .Manila: C&E

Publishing Company

Ambrosio, M.D. (2010).Lived Experiences of Parents Whose Child is a Teenage Mother in a Selected

Community in Makati.Retrieved.
Decklein,.K. (2010).Leadership Roles and Management Function in Education. Philadelphia: Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins.

Edwards ,A.D.,. & Carlton, C.S.(2011).Leadership Roles & Management Function. Philadelphia;

Lippincott William & Wilkins.

Speciale , S.T. (2008). Updates for Health Professionals on Leadership Matters .Washington DC: Bunns and

Nobles Inc. Retrieved from http://infed.org/healthprofessionals/leadershipmatters.htm