Data Management Plan
The interview data was stored on cassette audiotapes and was transcribed, which
yielded more than 300 pages. The transcriptions were stored on a computer that is
password, and firewall protected. Additionally, each interview was saved and a backup
file was created and stored on an external drive. The audiotapes were kept in a locked
drawer, and only I have access to the keys.
Before I read through interview transcripts, I created memos and recorded my
reactions to the interview experience. Each of the transcripts was reviewed and the
significant statements were color coded. One hundred thirty nine different codes were
generated from the interviews. I then began collapsing the codes. I utilized different
colored highlighters to segment each code that was collapsed by hand. This is significant
because this was my coding process. I did not use data management software. I color
coded my data with the different colored highlighters to indicate the different themes. I
assigned a theme to a color, for example, I assigned the color pink to the theme
―strategies‖ Mr. Clark used, and I assigned the color green to the leadership style theme.
All codes were entered into an excel sheet and then collapsed several times
subsequently to create sub-codes of the original codes to allow for manageability. All
transcribed interviews were kept in a binder that helped to organize and manage the data
and keep it a systematized fashion. When each significant statement was used and placed
in the excel sheet, I also provided the name of the informant and the page number from
each transcribed interview so that I could easily locate the origin of the code or
significant statement.