Research Design
In order to answer the research questions a qualitative approach to data collection was used , with the benefit that such an approach gives the opportunity for exploration and understanding ( Almalki 2016 ). Following feedback from SUN staff to a pilot questionnaire , an online questionnaire with a set of open-ended , free text , questions was distributed to staff members responsible for careers at relevant schools , and staff in senior leadership positions . Once completed , respondents were invited to take part in an online semi structured interview ( see Appendix 3 ) to expand upon and discuss responses to the online questionnaire .
Sample
Six schools in North Dorset were approached ( initially via contacts provided by the SUN team ) to take part in the research . A link to the questionnaire was sent via email to the contacts provided . Purposive sampling was used with a request made to send the link to senior staff and careers staff within the school . In total , four responses to the questionnaire were received from four different schools . All respondents were staff members responsible for careers . Following completion of the questionnaire , a further email was sent out to respondents , asking if they would volunteer for a follow up interview . In total three semistructured interviews were undertaken .
School |
Questionnaire responses |
Interview Y / N |
A |
1 |
Y |
B |
1 |
N |
C |
1 |
Y |
D |
1 |
Y |
Table 1 : Sample |
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