signed consent forms gathered during the research study were stored and retained on a secure computer in a secure location. Upon completion of this study, all stored data were safely destroyed.
Respect for Justice and Inclusiveness
All staff were invited to participate in this research project. These individuals within the organization were closest to and directly affected by the research question.
Balancing Harms and Benefits by Minimizing Harm and Maximizing Benefits
Integrity of the research process was paramount in balancing harms and benefits. To minimize potential harm, confidentiality and informed consent ensured that privacy and anonymity concerns were addressed. To maximize benefits, the information gathered during the research study was shared with participants through the final report. Individuals that chose to participate in this study enhanced their own learning through the opportunity to examine and reflect on their own perceptions. The information gathered from this study could help the organization to consider ways in which a collaborative team approach could enhance teamwork and collaboration. The benefits of this research study outweigh the potential harms of conducting the study.
Researcher Bias
As a researcher, I entered into the research project with my own personal history, experience, and value system, each of which had the potential of interfering with the process and increase researcher bias. Through self-reflection, I regularly monitored my own perceptions, judgments, and assumptions. I maintained a professional presence and independence. To further minimize researcher bias, my AR team members provided objective input, comments, and suggestions about my interpretation of the data