Participants An available sample of forty-eight individuals participated in the study. Participants were from Charlotte, North Carolina and included high school students in grades 9-12 from West Charlotte High School (N = 24); parents from the Northwest Corridor (N = 14); Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools personnel ranging from school principals to the district superintendent (N = 7); and JCSU administration ranging from the University President to the Director and the administration of the Smith Institute for Applied Research (N = 3). Please see Figure 1 below for the breakdown of participants. Figure 1. Number of Study Participants by Category
Study Procedures Interviews and focus groups took place over a five-month period and occurred in person, although one interview was conducted via teleconference to accommodate the schedule of the interviewee. Interviews were conducted onsite during the workweek at CMS and JCSU. Focus groups were conducted at West Charlotte High School during students’ lunch period, and in the evening in an Indaba member’s home. Due to the timing of the focus groups, a lunch or dinner was served to accommodate the participants’ scheduled routine. To insure accuracy of answers, all interviews and groups were tape-recorded. All interviewees and focus group respondents verbally provided their consent to engage in the conversation after the interviewer and focus group moderator read the study procedures and consent form. Consent was based upon agreement to share knowledge with the study, being tape recorded (confidentiality was assured), questions being asked, benefits of the study, main stakeholders, and the ability of the participant to conclude the interview at any time without consequence.
A publication of Smith Institute for Applied Research at Johnson C. Smith University - SmithInstitute.JCSU.edu
17