This is the first post in regard to the research I am conducting for my final project in SOC 985 Qualitative Research Methods.  At this point in my research, it is imperative that I define my project and outline the steps I am taking and will take throughout:

1. Refine the tools of qualitative research
   1. Survey
      • 2010-09-30: On this day, I retrieved my online survey to ensure it was able to be actively utilized.  This survey was created during mid-summer of 2010 (CAS 892) and was tested then on fourteen random users.  The test was run to make certain that the survey was finished and the data would compile into a spreadsheet able to be analyzed.  As the result of the summer pilot test on non-inclusive users, it was determined that the survey was ready to be used on participants.  The survey was then cleared by MSU IRB.  On this day, I altered the link so that the participants would be labeled “october2010@results.com” and I could therefore distinguish the actual future participants from previous test users.  I also took a practice test to review the questions of the survey and determine each question’s importance to the overall survey.  I concluded that the survey was ready to release as it exists on this day.
   2. Interview
      • 2010-09-30: On this day, I retrieved my interview questions to ensure the interview was able to be actively utilized.  This interview was created during late summer of 2010 (dissertation credit) and has not yet been tested.  The interview questions were then cleared by MSU IRB.  As the result of the late summer IRB approval, it was determined that the interview was ready to be used on participants.  On this day, I made certain the questions were appropriate to the research objective.  I concluded that the interview was ready to be enacted as it exists on this day.
2. Determine initial group of participants
   1. Survey
      • 2010-09-30: On this day, I reviewed my IRB submission to make certain who the participants of the survey are allowed to be.  My participants are limited to:
        • current male college basketball players
        • each individual athlete on a team that participated in the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Tournament (see Appendix A)
        • In addition to the teams listed in Appendix A, I will collect data the same way for the following schools: University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Mott Community College, and Lansing Community College
      • 2010-09-30: On this day, I made note of my potential participants.
   2. Interview
      • 2010-09-30: On this day, I reviewed my IRB submission on who the participants of the interview are allowed to be.  My participants are limited to:
      • • Michigan State Universtity, University of Michigan, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Mott Community College, and Lansing Community College
      • 2010-09-30: On this day, I made note of my potential participants.
3. Make initial contact with participants
   • 2010-09-30: On this day, I reviewed my IRB submission on how I could contact the participants of the survey.  My contact methods are limited to:
     • Institution (e.g. Athletic Director, Coach, or Student-Athlete Study Mentor) and athlete
     • Email, Twitter, Phone, or Mail
   • 2010-09-30: On this day, I reviewed my IRB submission on how I could contact the participants of the survey.  My contact methods are limited to:
     • Institution (e.g. Athletic Director, Coach, or Student-Athlete Study Mentor) and athlete
     • Email, Twitter, Phone, or Mail
   • 2010-09-30: On this day, I reviewed my IRB submission on how I could contact the participants of both the survey and the interview.  My contact methods are limited to:
     • Primary and secondary contact
     • The restrictions clarified in my IRB submission
4. Conduct qualitative research
   1. Survey
   2. Interview
5. Compile data
6. Analyze data