FINAL PROJECT ASSISTANCE

FINAL PROJECT STEP V

My identified codes are:

CHEMICAL IMBLANCE – CODE

ILLNESS – CODE

TREATMENT – CODE

IDENTIFIED AND ADDRESS – CODE

ADULT AND DECISION – CODE

MENTAL ILLNESS AND CRIME – CODE

SUPPORT GROUP – CODE

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, DOCTORS, PSYCHIATRIST, PROBATION OFFICERS – CODE.

PERSON – CODE

TEAM – COPE – RESOURCES – CODES

ADDRESS – IMPACT – CODES

SYSTEM – COURT – CODES

COMPARISON:

When hand-coding my transcripts, I decided to implement Evernote as my note-taking tool. One of the key advantages of using Evernote was its ability to capture and organize text from my handwritten notes. By simply taking a photo or scanning my handwritten interview notes, Evernote's text recognition feature would convert them into searchable digital content. This significantly reduced the time and effort required to manually transcribe my notes.

Looking into QDA (Qualitative Data Analysis) software, I discovered that Atlas.ti provides an Evernote integration feature. This means that if I were to utilize this program, I could depend on my notes while coding and significantly reduce my workload. The implementation of Evernote within Atlas.ti is a valuable tool for researchers because notes serve as the foundation of their studies. Without comprehensive notes, it becomes challenging to retrospectively comprehend and interpret the emotions and experiences of research participants. Therefore, the integration of Evernote in Atlas.ti enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of qualitative data analysis, facilitating a more comprehensive understanding of the research subject.

I've included my code because I believe it's necessary to understand the content

Interviews. Codes like chemical imbalance and illness, treatment, identified and addressed. I

found that all of these codes became puzzle pieces, creating an intricate puzzle in which the final

The result was the implementation of a multidisciplinary professional team to reduce the

recidivism rate of mentally ill adults.

When compared to NVIVO, which does not allow Evernote integration, Atlas.ti is the

most effective QDA software for my purposes. Additionally, when looking at my analysis needs,

Atlas.ti allows for a higher degree of flexibility as it offers a variety of options for coding and

analysis. Furthermore, Atlas.ti offers a wide range of features and tools that are not available in

NVIVO. A plan, I did so because I wanted a story to be told. The narrative plan allowed me to create an in-depth analysis of the data which provided me with valuable insight. I was able to effectively organize the analysis and draw the right conclusions. Overall, Atlas.ti was the best option for my analysis needs. Through my research combining a narrative analysis plan with my own techniques using Atlas.ti enabled me to tell a compelling story with the data. I was able to find interesting patterns and draw meaningful conclusions that I could use to further my research.

Evernote culminates in a study that allows readers to step into my participants' world. The results have provided valuable insight into the experiences of my participants, and I am confident that my findings can be used to inform future studies. Ultimately, this project has served to deepen my understanding of the subject matter and further my knowledge of the research process. Ultimately providing hope for societal change based on lessons learned from implementing practices of a multidisciplinary professional team, to help reduce the recidivism rate of mentally ill adults in the criminal justice system. I plan to use my findings to create tangible solutions that can be implemented in the real world. Through advocacy and collaboration, I hope to be a part of creating a more just and equitable society.

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Hand Coding Versus Qualitative Data Analysis Software

 

 

Monique D Brown Faust

Walden University

Hand Coding Versus Qualitative Data Analysis Software

 

In comparing experiences between hand-coding and qualitative research analysis (QDA) software, my first response is that QDA is more labor-intensive than coding by hand. Many research scholars still conduct hand-coding on paper, while others have changed to employing a QDA software program. Hand-coding, the traditional method of analyzing qualitative data, involves manually categorizing and organizing data on paper. According to Rubin and Rubin (2012) researchers often use color-coded highlighters or pens to identify themes, patterns, and relationships within the data. This process requires a significant amount of time and effort, as researchers need to carefully read and interpret each piece of data before assigning it to a category. On my own personal experiences, working with the QDA software such as MAXDA2020 and NVivo, I will further share insights into these programs and hand-coding. 

On the other hand, qualitative data analysis software offers a more efficient and systematic approach to analyzing qualitative data (Meyer & Avery, 2008). These software programs provide a range of tools and features that help researchers manage and analyze large amounts of data. With QDA software, researchers can import data from various sources, such as interviews, focus groups, or documents, and organize them in a digital format. The software allows for easy coding and categorization of data, enabling researchers to quickly identify themes and patterns.

While QDA software offers numerous advantages, it is important to acknowledge its labor-intensive nature. QDA software is a form of electronic coding that requires Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) such as Atlas.ti, In Vivo, Transana, and NVivo. According to Predictive Analysis Today, 2016b, The QDA software offers tools to, grounded theory methodology, discourse analysis coding and text interpretation. Researchers using QDA software must invest time and effort in learning how to use the software effectively.

This includes familiarizing themselves with the interface, understanding the various features, and ensuring data accuracy during the coding process. Additionally, the initial setup and data importation process can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with large datasets. Despite the initial learning curve and setup requirements, qualitative data analysis software offers numerous benefits. It provides researchers with a more organized and structured approach to data analysis, allowing for easier identification of patterns and themes (Patton, 2015). QDA software also enables collaboration among researchers, as multiple users can work on the same project simultaneously. Furthermore, these software programs often offer advanced data visualization and reporting capabilities, facilitating the presentation and interpretation of findings.

In conclusion, while qualitative data analysis software may be more labor-intensive than hand-coding, its benefits outweigh the initial investment of time and effort. The use of QDA software allows for a more systematic and efficient analysis of qualitative data, offering researchers a range of tools and features to enhance their data analysis process. However, it is essential for researchers to carefully consider their specific needs and resources before deciding whether to adopt QDA software or continue with hand-coding practices.

Reference

Meyer, D. Z., & Avery, L. M. (2008). Excel as a Qualitative Data Analysis Tool. Field Methods, 21(1), 91-112. doi:10.1177/1525822×08323985 

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice: the definitive text of qualitative inquiry frameworks and options. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. 

Predictive Analysis Today. (2016b). Top 21 free qualitative data analysis software. Retrieved from http://www. Predictiveanalyticstoday.com/top-free-qualitative-data-analysis- software/ 

Rubin, H.J. and Rubin, I.S. (2012) Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data. 3rd Edition, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks.

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Project Step II

Monique D Brown Faust

Walden University

FPSY 8360 Advance Qualitative Research

Project Step II

Recruitment of Participants

 

Successful recruitment and retention of study participants are essential for the

overall success of a research study. The recruitment process involves identifying

potential research participants and providing them with the information to estab-

lish their interest to join a proposed research study.

Successful recruitment and retention of study participants are essential for the

overall success of a research study. The recruitment process involves identifying

potential research participants and providing them with the information to estab-

lish their interest to join a proposed research study.

Successful recruitment and retention of study participants are essential for the

overall success of a research study. The recruitment process involves identifying

potential research participants and providing them with the information to estab-

lish their interest to join a proposed research study.

The entire effectiveness of a research study depends on the effective recruitment and retention of study members. A prospective research study's potential participants must be identified and given the information necessary to gauge their interest in participating. Inappropriate research participant recruiting can have a big impact on the study's conclusions because it is time- and labor-intensive.

Finding interested participants for study may be challenging, but there are several approaches that have been proven effective. We will use the following techniques to entice two persons to participate in this inquiry:

Participants will be chosen from the researcher's social network and asked to recommend any further potential participants. Convenience sampling is the term used to describe this type of sampling. This strategy is simple to execute and has the ability to offer a participant pool with a wide range of life experiences and professional backgrounds.

Participants will be chosen from the researcher's social network and asked to recommend any further potential participants. Snowballing sampling is the term used to describe this type of sampling. This strategy is simple to execute and has the ability to offer a participant pool with a wide range of life experiences and professional backgrounds.

Protocol

The protocol for the study includes the following components:

Invitation

The invitation will include a succinct overview of the study's goals, the participant's involvement in the research, and the benefits of participating. The researcher's contact information will also be included in the invitation so that interested participants can get in touch with him or her directly to ask questions or make comments.

Informed

The verbatim document provided by the Walden IRB will serve as the basis for the document dealing to informed consent. This essay will explain the study's goals, the participants' rights, and any potential risks or benefits associated with participating in the study. The aforementioned paper will also contain a statement to the effect that participation is voluntary and that participants are free to discontinue involvement in the research at any time.

Interview Guide

Both the teacher and the students will offer feedback, and the interview guide will be updated using this data. To the open-ended questions that will be in the guide, participants will have the chance to offer in-depth and insightful responses. The participants will be invited to talk about their personal experiences and points of view since the inquiries will be related to the investigation's topic.

Closing Statement

We will thank the participant for their time and their willingness to participate in the research in the closing remarks. Additionally, the statement will include the researcher's contact information so that participants can ask questions or make comments.

Peer Debrief Paragraph

The objectives, methods, and findings of the study will be briefly discussed in the section devoted to peer debriefing. Additionally, any important repercussions or limitations brought on by the study's findings will be covered in this paragraph.

Conclusion

It takes a great deal of planning and focus to successfully recruit participants for study. With the use of the convenience and snowball sampling approaches, the two participants for this study will be chosen. The study project's protocol includes items like an invitation, informed consent form, interview guide, final statement, and a section for peer debriefing. These elements will ensure that the research is conducted ethically and that the subjects' rights are protected.

References

Figg, C., Wenrick, M., Youker, C., Heilman, J., & Schneider, C. (2009). Implications and benefits of a long-term peer debriefing experience on teacher researchers. Brock Education: a Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 19 (1).

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To make the interview go more smoothly and to get as much from the exercise as possible, I reshaped the six questions asked to each participant. Allowing for more discussion, plus altering each question to be more open-ended. None of the participants were licensed therapists but they each knew through a short debriefing that this was part of an assignment prep prior to staring my dissertation for data collection. I took a moment explaining that the questions were altered for better understandability and that we would focus on their own understanding and/or personal stance on forgiveness, thus, you can see that the questions were appropriately tailored for the discussion interview.

Original Questions

1. What is your understanding of mental health wellness?

2. What is your thoughts of individuals that commit a non-violent felony or misdemeanor, who has been identified with a mental health illness?

3. Do you believe prison or jail is the solution for these individuals that commit a non-violent felony or misdemeanor?

4. Have you ever heard of a Multi-disciplinary team? What professionals should be a part of this team, when working with individuals who have committed a non-violent felony or misdemeanor?

5. Do you believe having, a group of professionals – that consist of a psychiatrist, social worker, mental health worker and case managers will help in reducing recidivism among this population?

6. What do you believe would help this population with reducing recidivism?

Participant 1 – D Gilmore (Interviewee)

Participant 2 – Benji Faust (Interviewee)

Researcher – Monique D Brown (Interviewer)

Date: Saturday, July 22, 2023

Voice Recording

1. What is your understanding of mental health wellness?

(P1) Mental health illness is a chemical imbalance that affects the person’s ability to function the thought process or the mode.

(P2) Mental health illness is an illness is a way of how individuals think, and acts, and how they proceed themselves and the rest of the world.

2. What is your thoughts of individuals that commit a non-violent felony or misdemeanor, who has been identified with a mental health illness?

(P1) I think that they should be, I do believe that the treatment should be first before locking them up. They should definitely have treatment first at least and be supervised. I don’t think that they should go to jail but it’s mostly how things work and that’s how the whole system works.

(P2) I think if they have been identified, the first thing to do is address their mental health.

3. Do you believe prison or jail is the solution for these individuals that commit a non-violent felony or misdemeanor?

(P1) It all depends, if you are an adult and you make a decision then there is a consequence.

(P2) If they have been diagnosed with a mental health illness, and their illness causes them to commit a crime, then their mental health illness should be addressed first, through an inpatient or outpatient setting.

4. Have you ever heard of a Multi-disciplinary team? What professionals should be a part of this team, when working with individuals who have committed a non-violent felony or misdemeanor?

(P1) Yes, parents, probation officer, counselor and child and some type of support group, whether that’s the church or some organization, a person in the community that volunteer.

(P2) No – It depends it could be mental health professionals, your doctors, your psychiatrist, your probation officers, and I think someone from the judicial system, possibly from the state side, and I do believe someone from the correction officer side, and law enforcement, that way all these professionals.

5. Do you believe having, a group of professionals – that consist of a psychiatrist, social worker, mental health worker and case managers will help in reducing recidivism among this population?

(P1) It does but when it all comes down to it’s on the person, the person themselves is going to be the biggest factor in regards to the response.

(P2) Yes I do, speaking of mental illness, it is often time that individual does not know their worth, their possibilities, I believe the team that can come into those individuals life and help them cope with their mental illness, and help them navigate resources to help them manage their stress and mental illness so that they can become productive citizens within their community.

Locking these people up just add, fuel to the fire, it does not focus on their true needs, and having this team will be a great step to help these individuals

6. What do you believe would help this population with reducing recidivism?

(P1) The earlier they address their mental health, it will have a bigger impact in their lives, because the people that have been in the system have been in there for a long time, and it just gets to the point they get tired, and decide to eventually get some help.

(P2) The system inside the court should be the last resort, we need more mental health facilities to help avoid these individuals from landing in the court system.

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Final Project Step I: Revising the Problem/Purpose Statement and Choosing the Approach

Monique D Brown Faust

Walden University

RSCH 8360F

Revising the Problem/Purpose Statement and Choosing the Approach

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Mental illness within the criminal justice system presents various challenges, including ensuring appropriate treatment and support for individuals with mental health concerns, reducing recidivism rates, and promoting their overall well-being. The care for justice involved mentally ill individuals is still a significant problem. According to the World Health Organization it defines mental illness as a condition that involves one’s self-awareness, the ability to produce fruitful and productive work, and the ability to manage one’s every day stresses (Segal et al, 2018). It has been found that an individual diagnosed with a mental illnesses is often incapable of carrying out normal daily task due to their disease. After the de-institutionalization of mentally ill individuals in 1965, these individuals became some of the most stigmatized groups in the world (Vitiello, 2010).

The integration of a multidisciplinary care team can address these challenges by bringing together professionals from various disciplines, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and parole officers, to collaboratively plan and manage the care of mentally ill individuals in the criminal court system. This team can work together to assess the mental health needs of the individuals, develop comprehensive treatment plans, monitor progress, and provide ongoing support (MHCC, 2020).

There is a great concern to address the unique needs of mentally ill justice-involved individuals within the criminal court system by implementing a multidisciplinary care team approach. By doing so, this approach aims to improve the quality of care, enhance the chances of successful rehabilitation and reintegration into the community, and reduce the likelihood of future criminal involvement (MHCC, 2020).

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological design study is to examine the experiences of justice involved mentally ill individuals involvement with the court system, as well as the multi-disciplinary professional care team that works with these individuals, during their case proceedings. The phenomenological is most appropriate for this research study, due to its ability to is align with individuals that have lived experiences by either being a justice involved mentally ill individual, or the professional apart of the multi-disciplinary support team. "The purpose of utilizing a multidisciplinary care team for mentally ill individuals involved in the criminal court system is to ensure that their mental health needs are adequately addressed throughout the legal process. By bringing together professionals from various disciplines, this approach aims to provide comprehensive assessment, treatment, and support, ultimately promoting the well-being and successful rehabilitation of these individuals. The multidisciplinary team aims to minimize recidivism rates, enhance community reintegration, and improve overall outcomes for mentally ill justice-involved individuals."(MHCC, 2020).

APPROACH

According to Ravitch and Carl (2021), phenomenology approaches describes the true meaning from one’s on lived experiences. For this research study a phenomenology approach is most appropriate because of the ability to connect with a identified group of individuals and their lived experiences. This approach would allow the researcher to connect with this group and experience and personal analysis of their positive and negative experiences having a multi-disciplinary team working directly within them in criminal court.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the benefits having a multi-disciplinary professional team, working with justice involved mentally ill individuals in the criminal court system?

Reference

Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2020). The mental health needs of justiceinvolved persons: A rapid scoping review of the literature. Ottawa, Canada.

Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2021). Qualitative research: Bridging the conceptual, theoretical,

and Methodological . SAGE.

Segal, A.F., Winfree, L.T., Friedman, S. (2018). Mental Health and Criminal Justice

United States: Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.

Vitiello, M. (2010). Addressing the special problems of mentally ill prisoners: A small piece of

the solution to our nation's prison crisis. Dev. UL Rev., 88, 57.

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Qualitative Research Workshop- Week 6

Interview Questions

Monique D Brown Faust

Walden University

RSCH 8360F

Qualitative Research Workshop- Week 6

Interview Questions

My research is driven to understand how implementing a multi-disciplinary professional team within the criminal courts will benefit the recidivism amongst justice involved mentally ill individuals. For my research, I have decided to utilize semi-structured interview questions, and case studies. My targeted participants for this research will include justice involved individuals with mental health diagnosis, and collaboration of police officers, public defenders/lawyers, prosecutors, social workers, psychiatrist/psychologist, case managers, these professionals will make up the multi-disciplinary team.

The questions were develop for both the clients and the professional team, when developing the questions for the clients. I understood that at the beginning that it was important to engage the participants, encouraging them to share their experiences and perspectives. It was important to ensure that the interview be flexible enough to allow for follow-up questions and exploration of areas that arise during the conversation.

As for the professional team I wanted to explore the perspectives and experiences of the professionals in the multidisciplinary team, shedding light on the collaborative efforts and challenges of working with justice-involved mentally ill individuals in the criminal court system.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the benefits of having a multi-disciplinary professional team, working with justice involved mentally ill individuals in the criminal court system, compared to justice involved mentally-ill individuals without assistance from a multi-disciplinary professional team?

I developed my research question with the result of identifying if having a multi-disciplinary professional team, linked with justice involved mentally ill individuals reduces recidivism amongst this population. I also wanted to identify what treatment modalities are more beneficial then another, and how these treatment professionals and treatment services has benefited the individual’s way of thought processes in receiving treatment.

QUESTIONS FOR CLIENTS:

1. Can you describe your experience working with the multidisciplinary team in the criminal court system? This question seeks to describe their experiences whether positive or negative. It would allow me to understand how they viewed the interactions, and if they believed it help with stabilizing their overall mental health.

2. Can you talk about any specific instances where the multidisciplinary team's support was particularly helpful to you? This question seeks to identify which professional involvement was more impactful then the other. This question will allow me to view if the interaction more patient-centered or more provider driven.

3. In what ways did the team address your mental health needs during the court process? This question seeks to identify if the clients mental health was a focus point, or if the charges the focus point. This question will allow me to view if the client was educated on his/her mental health diagnosis, and treatment recommendations, and tie the diagnosis along with non-compliance to treatment too their criminal activity, and in hence sight explain the importance of compliance to treatment.

4. Were there any challenges or barriers you faced while working with the team? Can you elaborate on them? This question seeks to see if the process of having a multi-disciplinary team was beneficial, if they were left to navigate the professionals on their own, or if this was a hands on approach with the clients and the treatment team. This question will allow me to see the steps that are taken from beginning to end with working with this team, and if the clients felt they were treated as a human or a number.

5. Can you discuss any changes you observed in your mental health or overall functioning as a result of your involvement with the multidisciplinary team? This question will allow me to chart their pre involvement to their post involvement and see if they see a benefit with having a multidisciplinary team working with them.

6. Have you noticed any positive changes in your interactions with the criminal justice system since being linked with the multidisciplinary team? This question will allow me to view the benefit in having a multidisciplinary team in the criminal court system working with mentally ill individuals. It will further allow me to review the decrease and/or increase in recidivism with this population.

7. What aspects of the support provided by the multidisciplinary team are most valuable to you?

QUESTIONS FOR THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROFESSIONAL TEAM:

1. Can you describe the role you play as a professional in the multidisciplinary team working with justice-involved mentally ill individuals in criminal court? This question is designed to see the team of professionals that make up the multi-disciplinary team, and how their role played a vital piece in working with the client. It will further allow me to see the strengths and weaknesses with each professional.

2. In what ways do you collaborate and communicate with other professionals on the team to ensure comprehensive care for the individuals you serve? This question will allow me to see the communication amongst all parties including the client. It will further show the time line of the communication, to address needs, and emergencies.

3. How does the multidisciplinary team coordinate with external agencies or organizations to provide additional support for the individuals in your care? This question will show the linkage to resources amongst the team, and if the care limited to within the group. It will further allow me to see if there is a development of a care plan that all parties including client develop together and if is followed by a time line.

4. What challenges or barriers do you encounter when working with justice-involved mentally ill individuals within the criminal court system? This question will show how the team overcome barriers, and the time frame in addressing these barriers. The end result is to see if there is a breakdown of care to the client, and if so how long before this issue is resolved.

5. Have you noticed any systemic changes within the criminal court system that have positively impacted the support and outcomes for justice-involved mentally ill individuals? If so, can you elaborate? This question will allow me to see if there are team cohesiveness from all parties within the court system, and if the team has address improvements that are needs to be improved, how have they improved these improvements, and how long did it take.

6. How does your team handle the intersection of legal considerations with the mental health needs of the individuals you work with? This question will allow me to see if the care plan for the client is punishment driven or care driven, and how all parties could work together to ensure that all parties benefit.

7. What measures or strategies does your team employ to ensure the ongoing care and support of justice-involved mentally ill individuals after their involvement with the criminal court system? This question will allow me to see post and pre progress, and if the care for these individuals are being measured to generate a targeted outcome of positive or negative insight as too having a team of multidisciplinary professionals within the court system.

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Reference

Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2020). The mental health needs of justice involved persons: A rapid scoping review of the literature. Ottawa, Canada.

Patton, M.Q. (2015) Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Chapter 7 Qualitative Interviewing.

Segal, A.F., Winfree, L.T., Friedman, S. (2018). Mental Health and Criminal Justice

United States: Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.

Vitiello, M. (2010). Addressing the special problems of mentally ill prisoners: A small piece of

the solution to our nation's prison crisis. Dev. UL Rev., 88, 57.

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INVITING PARTICPANTS

WALDEN UNIVERSITY

MONIQUE D BROWN FAUST

RSCH 8360

INVITING PARTICPANTS

Hello,

I hope this note finds you well.

As you know, I am in the Walden PhD program. As part of my coursework, I’m practicing the skills I need to develop and conduct qualitative research interviews. I’m seeking friends and family members that could participate as “interviewees” for one of my course assignments. Would you be interested in assisting?

The practice will include completing an Informed Consent statement (I’ll e-mail this to you); and allowing me to [e-mail you a list of questions/interview by phone or in person]. The whole process should take no more than 60 minutes of your time.

Please let me know if you would like to participate. The course has deadlines, so we’ll need to begin the process by 07/22/2023, and finish the interview by 07/23/23.

You can contact me by phone 561-201-0232, e-mail [email protected] if you have any questions.

PARTICIPANTS

Desmond Gilmore	[email protected]
Benji Faust	[email protected]
Rosalyn James	[email protected]
Lamont Benjamin	[email protected]
Marie Aristide	[email protected]

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