Beverlyn, have you looked at other studies like your in the literature and see how they conducted their study. Also, have you looked at John W. Creswell's (2007) Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design (2nd ed.) to get ideas? Also, there is Singleton and Straits (2010) Approaches to Social Research (5th ed.). Then there is Leedy and Ormrod's Practical Research: Planning and Design (2006). You may have already consulted these. I'm just trying to point you in a direction. They may not be what you are looking for. Asking other researchers in a forum like this is a great way to get information as well. Hope you are successful!

A couple other questions that may help you are what population are you trying to study, what unit of that population are you trying to sample, and can you generalize your results to the whole population after the study. I'm new at this myself, but I have been doing A LOT of reading and studying since starting my dissertation about a year ago.

I've found identifying a key informant very helpful. Once you've identified that person and formed a relationship, she can introduce you to the community of interest. David brings up a good point. It would be helpful to know the specific population you are interested in. For instance, are you interested in African American women in executive positions?

I conducted a phenomenological study with partners of transgender men. My first step was to locate a support group for transgender men. I contacted the group leader and discussed my research project. Once he was comfortable with me, he introduced me to his partner. She was able to guide me and connect me with more people. Because my population was hard to reach, I used the snowball sampling technique. Every respondent was asked if they knew anyone who might like to participate. This was helpful because each respondent was able to vouch for me and introduce me to a new possible participant. This informal networking helped me build trust within the community.

Thanks to David and Traber

I think, what's important to establish a friendly relationship based on trust.

Everyone should understand how he/she can make this space so to know the strengths and weaknesses can ask of the close friends.

Good luck

Hi Beverlyn,

You might want to start with a narrower, more focused segment of the workplace. If this appeals to you, I just registered for a conference entitled "Faculty Women of Color in the Academy 2014" which is being held Friday and Saturday March 28th and 29th, 2014 in Champaign, Illinois. For registration questions, write or call Michelle Chapell 217/244-7662. [email protected].

Nell Painter (retired Princeton History Professor; now a budding artist) is one of the keynote speakers; and she is totally cool.

Gwen

Hello Gwen,

Thank you for responding. I certainly would like to speak with Professor Painter one on one. Is this possible? I am currently on extension in the Walden PhD Program, so any additional traveling is out of my spectrum for now only. However, I am concentrating mainly on the experiences of Black women's plight in corporate leadership careers. I hope this study will create a passage for further study for all women of color on their lived experiences in this arena. This study has great potential for creating a positive view of Black women in the corporate place in forming mentoring support programs; that is if I could move beyond the trust factor in gaining participants.

Hi Beverlyn,

You would have to contact Nell directly. Before contacting her, however, I suggest you read the following Chronicle of Higher Education article on Nell's career: http://chronicle.com/article/A-Historian-Bids-Farewell-to/136871/?key=HGxzJlRsZHUSNi1nYjoTYzlXO3BjYx5yYyRKanItblFTEQ%3D%3D

As the article reveals, Nell's background is not in corporate America -- your area of interest, rather it is in academia.

Gwen

Beverlyn:

I am not sure what criteria you have for study participants. However, if I qualify, I am willing to participate.

Plenty of good advice already (especially snowballing) but a couple of small extras from my own field experience that could be worth thinking about, if you've not already done so:

a) following suggestions above - you may also be able to 'advertise' your recruitment message with a suitable flyer through existing networks e.g. leadership programs (with or without mentoring aspects) at business schools and large organisations (private, public) but also don't forget community organisations e.g parent or various sport/neighbourhood associations . You may have to adapt the message according to where/when posted as not all eligible folk necessarily identify themselves with your language.

b) while initial 'trustworthiness' is important for recruitment (references, introduction as well as the ethics approval all key to this), a key challenge for participants in phenomenological studies is the likely time commitment. People may be interested but afraid to commit as they already have stressed schedules.

So, it's a good idea to design your data collection activities to be attractive, flexible (able to be done and accumulated in short segments when they have a few minutes), and structured for trust-building from less invasive towards the deeper discussion over study period.

It appears that after completing your institutional review it would be much easier for you to have a certain "trustworthiness"...but if you are struggling to complete it and need assistance in your data collection process I would be happy to assist. You can email me.

It is so encouraging to read the responses of women who are not only willing to help, but eager to volunteer their assistance to Beverlyn, in any way possible. Long live the sisterhood! (I am writing this from UI-Urbana-Champaign where I am attending the "Faculty Women of Color in the Academy 2014" conference I mentioned to Beverlyn earlier.) Here too I have experienced an overwhelming spirit of female collegiality with women lending support (and handkerchiefs)to other women (many of whom were driven to tears from just trying to relate their experiences of ostracism in the academy).

In addition to Nell Painter's keynote address, there was a keynote address by Carmen Gonzalez, a co-editor of ''PRESUMED INCOMPETENT: The Intersections of Race and Class for Women in Academia" (2012, University Press of Colorado). Both keynote addresses were wonderfully inspiring!

Gwen

When one succeeds, we all succeed!

Pamela, I am in the process of getting prepared for the Irr review. I don't have your email address. Please email me at [email protected]. All others feel free to email me also.. this will help a great deal. thanks

Hello Researchers,

It has been a while since I visited this site because I was very busy finishing up at Walden University. I want to thank all of you for your insight and experience as researchers. I took your advice and benefited from it. I graduated last February and I am now Dr. Banks. My phenomenological study was very successful. I experienced quite a few challenges, but I learned from them. Unfortunately due to the COVID-19 crisis, commencement for July has been cancelled. It was truly a let down, but I thank God, I finished the journey. Now I am one of you. Thank you all!

Dear Dr. Banks:

It is with great pride that I welcome into academia. When I graduated in 2009 (11 years ago), I wish someone had given me a "heads up" on the inside of academia. I am learning from that experienced, so I am passing on what I've learnt. Your journey as a woman and person of color would be challenging and requires much perseverance and determination. If you can find a good mentor within or outside your university that would be good. Be aware of "tor-mentors" and not mentors, who can literally destroy your academic career by smearing your character so that your work is not recognized and your are not given the deserving respect from both faculty and students. Then you have to continually place your career and professional reputation under Almighty God to protect yourself from the human viruses of "professional envy, victimization, student maligning, and workforce bullying." I wish you every success as you begin your academic career and look forward to reading your publications and conference presentations.

Best,

Debra