Qualitative analysis, using the focus group as the unit of analysis, was used to identify the type of preschool experiences that early childhood educators believed children need before entering kindergarten. Statements were coded within each focus group transcript. The transcripts were formatted and entered into QSR N6 (2002), a qualitative software program used to identify patterns and themes through key word and phrase searches. Randomly selected transcripts from each program type were selected for code development. All the transcripts were read and coded by hand according to coding methods suggested by Miles and Huberman (1994) to identify and summarize themes/domains that emerge from the data to answer the questions for specific areas of inquiry.
After conducting several close readings of the transcripts—using methods of grounded theory (Glazer & Strauss, 1967; Strauss & Corbin, 1990), an inductive process using textual data—the lead author and a research assistant not familiar with the interview and study objective individually coded the selected transcripts using our research questions as guides. For instance, each coder identified experiences that participants reported as being important learning experiences for children who are getting ready for kindergarten. Each coder labeled each type of “experience” and, when appropriate, combined different experiences into one broad category. For instance, the following response or statement was highlighted by both coders: “…provide activities for them through their age and needs of the children.” Each coder labeled the statement separately.
Following individual coding, the coders met to discuss their respective coding schemes and to discuss any discrepancies. Using specific codes or labels identified by each coder, factors were identified jointly. The following excerpt is an example of text that was coded as “being supportive”: “If it’s because they (the children) are having a bad day or they need emotional support…to be able to be someone that they can go to for whatever reason.” In some instances, coders had to agree to re-label specific experiences based on the literature and the context in which the experience was referenced. “Re-labeling” was done for less than 10% of the codes. The coders agreed on over 90% of the labels and broad themes. Following the coding procedure, three dimensions were identified, and factors were listed for each. For example, “being supportive” was categorized under “teacher-child interaction.”
Next, all the transcripts were coded using the factors and themes identified in the randomly selected transcripts.
Finally, transcripts were coded using QSR N6, which assigns a code for each term/domain present in each transcript. Focus groups were assigned a “1” if the primary teaching philosophy and related factors were mentioned or discussed. Therefore, within each provider setting, the highest possible number reported at each theme is equal to the total number of focus groups, which indicates that all the focus groups within program type mentioned or discussed a given factor. For instance, if a focus group described being supportive as being an important experience for children who are getting ready for kindergarten, that focus group received a “1” for “Being Supportive.” Reference to a specific experience received only one code. In other words, no one factor was coded more than once. This means that the numbers in each cell are an indicator of whether the experience was mentioned, not rankings or indicators of how many times the experience was mentioned within an individual focus group session.