CHAPTER II

METHOD AND PROCEDURES

Methodology

This study utilized the qualitative method of research particularly the case study. This

research design according to Shuttleworth (2008), focuses on specific and interesting cases. This

attempts to test a theory with a typical case or it can be a specific topic that is of interest.

Research has to be thorough and note-taking has to be meticulous and systematic.

In this study, the researchers deliberately tried to isolate a small study group, one

individual case or one particular population. In the design of a case study, the researchers

planned and designed how to address the study and make sure that all collected data is relevant.

The researchers made a short list of 4 bullet points that were addressed during the study.

With a case study, even more than a questionnaire survey, it is important to be passive in

the research. The researchers are much more of observers than experimenters or they must

remember that, even in a multi-subject case, each case must be treated individually and then

cross case conclusions can be drawn.

Research Design

Study Site and Selection of Participants

The study was conducted in Saint Louis College. The participants involved were three (3)

Catholic Administrators who have been designated by the College President and duly approved

by the Board of Trustees of Saint Louis College, San Fernando. They are incumbent

administrators for AY 2020-2021.

 The participants in this study are members of the SLC Management who meet the set

criteria. There are three (3) participants in this study. The selected participants are qualified for

this study for they can give a clearer picture of their own perception of what it truly means to be

a Catholic Administrator.

The researchers employed the purposive sampling, specifically critical case sampling

which focuses on specific cases that are dramatic or very important (Saunders, 2012). It is aptly

used when elements selected for the sample are chosen by the judgment of the researcher

(Gadingan, 2019). Researchers often believe that they can obtain a representative sample by

using a sound judgment, which will result in saving time and money (Black, 2010). Studying

information-rich cases yields insights and in-depth understanding rather than empirical

generalizations.

Criterion sampling is a manner of selecting all cases that meet some predetermined

criteria of importance in order to construct a comprehensive understanding of all studies [that

meet certain predetermined criteria] in a qualitative evidence synthesis (Suri, 2011).

The criteria used in selecting the research participants are 1) that they must be baptized

Catholics, 2) that they must be duly designated by the College President and consequently

approved by the Board of Trustees, and 3) that they must have been serving as part of the

Management team for at least three (3) years .

 Data Measure

To conduct the interview, the researchers formulated and prepared relevant questions

based on the theoretical frameworks. The interview guide was crafted using crafted using a priori

coding. The a priori coding is a process of codifying qualitative data whereby the researchers

develop the codes ahead of time based on a theory, an interview question, or a prior knowledge

and information (Flores, 2020). In line with that, the interview guide consisted of questions

which sought to take a look at the participants’ insights and experiences as Catholic

Administrators based on the Theory of Action of GCCE’s CPPP.

Data Collection Procedure

To collect necessary data pertinent to the perceived qualities of a Catholic Administrator,

the individual or the face-to-face interview was employed. Face-to-face interviews refer to the

in-person contact involving a dynamic communication, wherein a researcher establishes rapport

with the participant, drawing on non-verbal cues in interpreting what they mean (Jensen, et al.,

2016). In this way, the researcher is enabled to see the world from the point of view of the

participants (SLC Manual in Thesis and Dissertation Writing, 2019). The interview was

recorded, with the permission of the participant, and it was aided by a voice and/or video

recorder. The interview was set to last in not more than an hour.

After the interview process, the researchers prepared the intelligent verbatim transcript in

order to provide more adequate and readable transcript. This allowed a thorough interpretation

and deconstruction of what has been discussed related not only as regards the administrative

function, but also the participants’ hopes, goals, frustrations, and attitudes as they relate to the

objective of the study (Agrey, 2014). The intelligent verbatim transcript, also known as the
“paraphrased” or “standardized transcript”, represented recorded speech into the text, editing out

the filler expressions (such as “uhm”, “ah”), thought pauses, slang words (“want to”, instead of

“wanna”) and word repetitions (like “yeah”, “you know”, used for emphasizing a point) that may

divert from getting to the heart of the interview content (Jensen, et al., 2016). In brief, it attempts

to encapsulate what was said, instead of how it was said. Following this, the collected transcripts

was carefully placed in the Repertory Grid for the thematic analysis.

The thematic analysis was used to treat the data which was drawn out from the

interviews. Thematic analysis is one of the most common forms of analysis in qualitative

research. According to Komori (2010) as cited by Gadingan (2019), thematic analysis can be

used to make sense of seemingly unrelated material. It can be used to analyze qualitative

information and to systematically gain knowledge and empathy about a person, an interaction, a

group, a situation, an organization, or a culture.

The researchers used thematic analysis as a means to gain insights and knowledge

from the data gathered. The method enabled the researchers to develop a deeper appreciation for

the group and their situation. It was highly inductive: themes emerged from the data that was

gathered and were not imposed or predetermined by the researchers.

Mode of Data Analysis

To facilitate a step-by-step process of analyzing content of the transcript, the Colaizzi

Process is adapted under an interpretive phenomenological data analysis. The SLC Manual in

Thesis and Dissertation Writing (2019) describes this process as the strategy to identify

significant ideas and statements from the transcripts. From this identification, the meanings or

ideas perceived are clustered together. Afterwards, the resulting ideas were integrated as one,
leading to an exhaustive description of the phenomenon under study. The participants’

experiences and insights validate the description about the phenomenon being studied. The

process was done with the structure of the Repertory Grid in order to do the systematic cool and

warm analyses of the transcripts.

The Repertory Grid is a device used to understand the way individual understands the

world from his or her point of view. Also, it ascertains and maps the interrelation between the

key concepts, constructs, and the personal insights drawn from lived experiences (Flores, 2020).

Further, it is a method used to examine the structure and content of the implicit theories,

concepts, and personal meanings through which individuals perceive and act in their everyday

activities. The Cool and Warm Analyses, on the other hand, were employed for the interpretation

of the transcripts. The former served as the structural part of the analysis while the latter

supplemented the analysis by probing its intended meaning as experienced. The interpretive

phenomenological method guided the overall process of examining the insights and experiences

of Catholic Administrators.

Following the Colaizzi Process under the research design method, the collected transcript

was read, re-read, and processed in order to get its essential contents and to provide its

appropriate interpretation. The responses extracted from the individual interviews were carefully

jotted down in the Repertory Grid before they were subjected to Cool and Warm Analyses.

Second, the significant statements were highlighted and extracted through the reading and re-

reading process. From these statements, the significant ideas were culled out, after which they

were sorted out into categories which led to the identification of the subthemes. Third, from the

analyses of the significant statements and ideas using cool and warm analyses emerged two

overarching themes namely, Spiritual & Pastoral Leadership and Life-Long Faith Formation &
Professional Development. The themes were treated with detailed and extensive discussion in the

Chapter III of this study.

The themes were then integrated with each other in order to develop the structure of the

Theory of Catholic Leadership for Effective Evangelization. Then, the validation of the findings

in the shared and narrated experiences and insights of the management-participants were then

triangulated with the responses, insights, and the experiences shared by their co-managers who

were not identified to be part of this study.

Validation of the Research Model

The model which is a Theory of Catholic Leadership for Effective Evangelization, as

emerged based on the themes that emanated from the transcriptions of responses gathered from

face-to-face interviews, was validated through a primary source validation. The primary source

validation (Ragma, 2017), is a process of explaining the model to the research participants for

affirmation or negation as regards the comprehensiveness and accurateness of the model as to

their experiences and insights on the study being conducted. The process is: the researchers

present and explain the model, participants scrutinize the model, comments are summarized, and

then the model is refined until such time that it satisfies what the participants are really trying to

bring out.

Ethical Considerations

There were important ethical concerns that were taken into account in this qualitative

research. At the core, these ethical principles were protecting anonymity and confidentiality. It is

expected that any gathered data were kept confidentially, the participants were informed before

the interview started that their names were removed or pseud names were used to maintain
privacy and confidentiality of the information and identity. All the information was kept in a

locker and safe storage.

Obtaining informed consent for a research study requires open and honest

communication between the researcher and the study participant. All the participants in this

study were given adequate information and were fully informed about this study. Furthermore,

consent means that participants have adequate information regarding the research; are capable of

comprehending the information regarding the research; and have the power of free choice,

enabling them to consent voluntarily to participate in the research or decline participation

(Walker, 2007). All the participants voluntarily participated in this study. Voluntary participation

was the decision as to whether or not to take part in this study. If the participants decided not to

take part in this study, it did not affect the care they received and which may result in any loss of

benefits which they are otherwise entitled (Gadingan, 2019).

Lastly, proper document sourcing or referencing was done to ensure and promote

copyright laws. Plagiarism rule was observed since all the references and materials used were

properly cited and documented. Furthermore, a communication letter was presented to the

College President of the respondent school asking permission to conduct interviews.