Gearing up for Research
To gather insight into the experiences of current members of the Meiklejohn Fellows Program and inform my HSTEM Action Research Project, I developed and distributed an anonymous online survey using Google Forms. This tool was chosen for its accessibility, ease of use, and ability to efficiently collect both quantitative and qualitative data from a targeted population—in this case, Meiklejohn Fellows Program members in the classes of 2025 and 2026.
The survey, distributed in collaboration with the Loeb Center, was designed to assess how current members engage with the program, what barriers they may encounter, and how future programming could better support first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students. Questions included a mix of multiple-choice, Likert-scale, and open-ended prompts. This structure allowed me to capture both measurable trends and individualized, narrative responses that reflect the nuanced needs and lived experiences of FGLI students at Amherst.
While the survey itself was anonymous to ensure confidentiality and encourage honest feedback, respondents were given the option to voluntarily include their contact information if they were interested in having a one-on-one follow-up conversation with me. This design element was critical—it enabled me to incorporate an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach, in which quantitative data collection is followed by qualitative inquiry to enrich and clarify the findings. The quantitative data provided a broad view of trends in engagement, satisfaction, and unmet needs, while follow-up interviews with select participants allowed for deeper exploration of the personal, structural, and emotional dimensions of those trends.
By combining anonymous survey responses with optional interviews, I was able to put data in conversation with lived experience, capturing both breadth and depth. This mixed-methods approach not only strengthened the reliability and richness of the findings but also ensured that student voices remained at the center of this project—something that aligns with the core values of the Meiklejohn Fellows Program and the goals of my proposed enhancements.