Page 295 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

3. Group Interaction

4. Overall Metasphere & CC Meeting Experience

For each of the four perspectives above, an explanatory matrix was developed and used to

identify and explain the emergent dimensions and properties. Subsequently, the dimensions, by

perspective, are elaborated upon using supporting quotes (later in the chapter) from the transcripts

of participant and facilitators volunteers. Quotes from the interviewees are organized using an

alphanumeric code based on the following sequence: identification letter (P for participants, F for

facilitators), random two-digit identification number, and a two- to four-letter code identifying

gender and race. Interesting to note, while observing and coding the participants based on their

own self-descriptions from filling out the surveys there were no ‘transgender’ or ‘Hispanic’

representation which made me curious to include and seek out attendees but to no avail as none

were seemingly present at the time I was doing these studies. This is not to say that these

classifications of race, gender or other demographic representations did not attend or in

generalization do not participate in dialogues – it’s just at the Albany, New York and Milwaukee,

Wisconsin CCs attendees at large were randomly approached during the time I made this study.

So, for the surveyed participants, interviews and in group dialogue notations the

gender/race code uses the following designations: F- female; M- male; TS – transsexual. AA-

African-American; BR-bi or TRI-multiracial; NA-Native American; O – not identified and; W-

White. For example, the code P38FAA identifies a quote from a participant who is coded number

38, and female who identifies as African American. For the purposes of turning the first draft of

this dissertation on time I chose making this a simplified coding chart. This coding sequence only

applies for the Albany 2016 series of dialogues as I’m still analyzing Milwaukee, WI.

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