Page 355 - Mike Ratner CC - WISR Complete Dissertation - v6

Chapter V: Theoretical Propositions and Experience Interpretation

The reality today is that we are all interdependent and have to co-exist on this small planet.
Therefore, the only sensible and intelligent way of resolving differences and clashes of interests,
whether between individuals or nations, is through dialogue

- The Dalai Lama

In dialogue, for instance, identity can be explored and a person can be humanized or seen

in a different light as stereotypes give way to face-to-face pictures. (Saunders, 2011, p. 25)

Introduction

The information detailed here in Chapter V presents findings from interview data resulting

from a four- session Community Conversation series held in Albany NY in 2016. Three dialogues

focused on the topics of implicit bias and race. In total, 18 attendees (dialogue participants and

facilitators) volunteered for interviews to discuss their experiences and impressions. Some of the

interview volunteers attended two or more dialogues, while others participated in only one

dialogue session. Additional details pertaining to the composition of the dialogue groups is

included in Chapter IV. The data derived from the interviews was coded, using grounded theory

methodology, into nodes representing data categories derived from line-by-line coding.

Grouping the data associated with analysis and conversion of the data into high level or

conceptual dimensions representing an aggregation of codes, nodes, node categories and further

(meta) dimensions was very new to me. Figure 5.1 (next page) is a pyramid graphic representation

of the grounded theory process of analysis, which began with line-by-line coding and culminated

in the development of nodes, categories, dimensions, and theoretical propositions.

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