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Thesis/Dissertation Information
- Degree Disciplines:
- Education
Notes
- Abstract:
- The purpose of this study was to understand the role that a bachelor’s degree plays in the attainment of middle-class socioeconomic status, or the American Dream. The problem was studied within the context of the father and son dyad. The study was guided by four research questions. The guiding tradition was a case study functioning within a social constructivist framework. The research explored the participants’ perspectives regarding the value of a bachelor’s degree and the impact of the bachelor’s degree on socioeconomic status. Specifically, the research intended to understand the perceived role of a bachelor’s degree in achieving the American Dream, middle-class socioeconomic status across three cultures (African American, Cuban American, and White). The purpose of the study included understanding the nature of the father’s influence on the son’s enrollment and graduation with a bachelor’s degree, and the role that middle-class status plays in the desire to pursue graduation from a four-year college. Finally, the study attempted to understand the nature of social structures that impact middle-class families and influence enrollment and graduation from a four-year college. The sample for this qualitative case study consisted of three father-son dyads across three cultures (African American, Cuban American, and White). The selection criteria was that the fathers attained middle-class status without earning a bachelor’s degree and the sons graduated with a bachelor’s degree and attained their own middle-class status. Data was collected through structured interviews and transcribed. The interview questions were open-ended with enough structure to attain depth of understanding and perception. I was the instrument, using an interview protocol as a data collection tool. The structured interview, analytic induction and the constant comparative method provided thick, rich responses that led to interpretations and understanding of the role that the bachelor’s degree plays in attaining the American Dream, or middle-class socioeconomic status. Narrative description illuminated the “lessons learned,” and the emergent themes were captured in the analysis leading to overarching themes. The findings were discussed relative to the overarching themes, to the literature, and to each of the three dyads. Quality was verified by adherence to standards addressing the trustworthiness of the qualitative research, providing evidence of rigor, including credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability (Patton, 2002). Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Barry University Institutional Review Board.
- Thesis:
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--Barry University, 2007.
- Bibliography:
- Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-177).
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- Barry University
- Holding Location:
- Barry University Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- Copyright Thomas D. Saban. Permission granted to Barry University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
- Resource Identifier:
- LB2325.S33 2007_SabanThomas ( BU-Local )
- Classification:
- LB2325.S33 2007 ( lcc )
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