Participant Four: A Case Study

Decent Essays
Participant One is a 50-year-old African American sales manager. She is a grandmother. She cares for two of her grandchildren. She has had 2 ½ years of college experience. Quite often, she has tried to complete a bachelor’s degree, but her job has consumed most of her time. She seemed to feel that a degree would mean the world to her despite her present obstacles, which seem to be financed. She has a great desire to complete her degree, but “the timing is just not right at this time.” She states, “I have had a few life changes especially when my husband died a few years ago and now I have to work to make up the extra income. I also find myself helping my daughter out from time to time” (A. Payne, personal communication, February 22, 2016). …show more content…
She has been divorced for three years and is the mother of one child. She has had at least two years of college experience in which she has acquired several certificates in accounting. Marie has had to quit going to college because she had problems with childcare and due to medical problems. She lacked the family support because her family did not live close by. She stated, “I have a great desire to go back to school, but right now my child comes first, along with my health. I can’t concentrate when I don’t feel well. Presently I don’t have the finances to go to school like I had in the past because I have defaulted on school loans” (M. Penn, personal communication, February 25, 2016).
Andria
Participant Five is a 38-year-old African American registered nurse who works in the Emergency Room. She has two children. She has had four years of college experience, off and on. Her biggest challenge was trying to attend class while struggling with childcare as well as her job. Andria states, “ I was determined to complete my degree because staying in my previous position as a cardiac tech was like being in stagnant water” (A. Rose, personal communication, February 26, 2016).
…show more content…
Triangulation was used to collect data in the form of interviews, focus group session, and participant profile. Open coding was used to identify codes, and axial coding was used to identify the themes. The data generated through this study provides evidence to explain reasons for success or failure of non-residential single - parent student to persist in obtaining a degree of higher education. Figures 1, 2, and 3 provide the results obtained from analysis of collected data. Chart 1 and 2 provides a breakdown of responses and

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