A Mixed Methods Approach to Mapping Understanding to Experience

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 1:45 pm - Gold 4
  In Roundtable Session: Applying Mixed Methods for Understanding Experience, Action, and Organizational Change in Higher Education

Abstract

Phenomenography is a qualitative approach that originated in higher education pedagogy research about 50 years ago to study qualitatively different conceptions and understandings of phenomena. Our paper demonstrates a novel use of the approach by integrating phenomenography with quantitative methods to study possible associations between conceptualizations of a concept of varying complexity and prior personal experiences. Specifically, we studied possible links between notions of resilience held by university students, staff, and faculty and their prior experiences of adversity using established measures. While illustrating a novel and expanded use for phenomenographic research, we also aim to reinvigorate phenomenographic research generally. We conclude the paper with suggestions for using the novel approach for a variety of research areas.

Authors

• Sebnem Cilesiz, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Emily K. Sandoz, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

• Anna Catherine Romero, University of Southern Mississippi