Thank you to the 60+ participants who shared your experiences in the Wheaton self-defense class with Marilyn Scribner, and your reflections on its impact throughout your life.
This dissertation research would be impossible without your contributions.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
PLEASE NOTE:
I am only in the beginning stages of data analysis. All results discussed here and elsewhere are only preliminary results. All analysis and discussion are subject to change due to additional data, time, or other variables during this discovery process. Thank you for understanding.
Interview data and analysis is ongoing and no preliminary results are ready for dissemination. Thank you for your patience!
About the Interview:
Let's be honest, memories are much more fun to share when you are talking to someone!! Instead of spending lots of time tediously typing out longer responses to the survey questions, join me in an interview!
Easy to schedule!
Participants simply clicked on the link to the interview scheduler, Calendly and were taken to available time slots where they chose a time that worked best for them. Calendly automatically sent calendar events with a Google Meets link. Participants clicked on the link at the time of their interview, were taken to a video chat room with me, and away we went! Some interviewees were unable to do video chats, but we scheduled phone calls or digital audio chats instead.
It was designed to last roughly 1 hour...But...
All interview time slots were scheduled for 1.5 hours in case of technical difficulties, but interviews were actually intended to last 1 hour. Some did. However, some interviews went longer. After checking in with participants to see if extending the time worked for them, we continued talking past the 1 hour mark. Regardless of length of time, each interview was a rich and powerful experience and I treasured meeting each and every person I talked to.
A low pressure, fun experience:
Of course, the more details they shared, the more accurate this research project is, but I also knew it had been several years (or decades!) since they took the class. The rhythm of the interview was designed to reawaken participants' memories, but it was completely fine and natural for people to forget some things. Also some things related to self-defense can be sensitive or difficult to discuss.
THAT IS ALL JUST FINE!!
Anyone could skip any question at any time or end the interview at any point they chose, and answering "I don't remember" was an expected response. It was my intent that the interview be a low-stress, enjoyable, and non-judgmental experience, and I think I achieved that goal for the most part. I was committed to treating every person with the highest degree of respect, dignity, and confidentiality throughout this research process (and in life!)
The Nitty Gritty Details:
Interview Informed Consent Information:
About 2-3 days beforehand, participants received a confirmation email with the day and time, the Google Meets link, and the Informed Consent document.
This document explained the rights of a research participant, helped them know they would be kept safe, and how this research would be used.
Participants read the Informed Consent Document before participating in the interview and verbally confirmed this at the beginning of the interview process.
You can find a copy of Research Informed Consent here
About the Interview Itself:
At the beginning of the interview, interviewees chose if the interview would be audio recorded or not, then we briefly went over the informed consent form, and they were asked to verbally consent to participate. No participant refused to be audio recorded.
Like the survey, consisted of short sections of questions focusing on different aspects of participants' experiences of the class and its impact on their life afterwards. They could choose to skip any question at any time or end the interview at any point they chose.
Confidentiality and Privacy:
Audio recordings were only used to ensure accuracy, are currently being transcribed and verified, and then will be deleted. Transcriptions of interviews are being anonymized and kept in secured and protected locations.
Participant emails were only used for logistics purposes in setting up the interview and to communicate important details concerning the ongoing research and Scribner's health. It was disconnected from the interview itself (to ensure privacy/confidentiality) and will absolutely never be shared with anyone.