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Quantitative Data Collection Methods

All three sets of data were entered into SPSS, a computer database program, producing an overall data set of over 27,000 pieces of data from 116 participants. Out of the 124 young adults invited to participate in the study, 116 responded an completed some or all of the three stages of the study and 96 (or 82.76%) completed all three stages of the study. Mangione (1995:60,61) states that between 60% – 70% are acceptable in mailed surveys, while anything above 70% is considered excellent. The focus of this study was to measure the degree of change in the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours of short-term mission participants over time and, in the process, measure the relative influence of a number of variables present in the shortterm mission experience on these participants of various short-term mission programs.
Measuring significant change in the 24 concepts related to the beliefs, attitudes and behaviours was achieved by computing the average score for each of the 24 concepts for each participant. The average score was calculated by adding up the sum of the various 1-5 coded statements which related to that particular concept. The sum of the average scores for all the participants in each program were calculated and then the overall average score for each program related to each concept was calculated.
Measuring the degree of change between the pre (called stage “a”), post (called stage “b”) and follow-up (called stage “c”) stages of the study was achieved by subtracting the average score for each group in stage “a” from stage “b” to determine “difference a”. The degree of change between the post and follow-up stages of the study was achieved by subtracting the average score for each group’s stage “b” from stage “c” to determine “difference b”. Comparisons were made between all programs for “difference a” (the post minus pre scores) and “difference b” (the follow-up minus post scores) while testing against a number of variables. Significance, for the purposes of this study, was achieved when one group’s difference was greater than another group at a significance level of P less than .10.
The eight belief, attitude and behaviour concepts related to participants’ relationship with God were grouped section A. The eight concepts related to participants’ relationship with the Church were grouped under section B. The eight concepts related to participants’ relationship with the world were grouped under section C. For the complete key relating each 1-5 statement to a concept within the three spheres of participants’ relationship with God, Church and the world see Appendix 11: 24 Concepts with Supporting Statements And Behaviours.

Qualitative Data Analysis

The narrative essay responses from the post and follow-up stages (stages 2 and 3) were evaluated using narrative analysis procedures recommended by Weiss (1995) and Riessman (1993). A four phased process recommended by Weiss for Issue- Focused analysis includes: coding, the initial reading of data; sorting, the initial analysis of data; local integration, identifying recurrent themes in the data; and inclusive integration, integrating these themes into a coherent picture alongside the
rest of the data (Weiss 1995: 151-166).
The narrative analysis approach suggested by Riessman (1993) includes transcribing, analysis and validation. The validation criteria established by Riessman includes: persuasiveness of content; member checking, in which ones initial analysis is brought back to the respondent for feedback; coherence of content; and the pragmatic value of the data findings (Riessman 1993:56-68). Techniques and principles from both authors were utilized in the analysis of the essay and interview
data.

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Summary

This chapter described the approach taken to collect and analyse both quantitative and qualitative data in a quasi – experimental pre-test, post-test design with nonequivalent groups in a longitudinal study. The study involved 116 participants from five different short-term mission programs as well as an external control group of 11 participants.
The development of the Beliefs, Attitudes and Behaviours Survey measuring 24 concepts within three relational spheres (God, Church and world) was explained.
Data collection methods, including the questionnaires and interviews, were described. The research design was focused on building as homogenous a study group as possible and then isolating various aspects of the short-term mission experience, both between and within programs, to better understand the impact of these variables on participants’ beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.

Teamwork in Ministry (B5)

Although both the TREK program and the ACTION program’s pre-post change scores increased, the TREK program’s rate of increase was significantly higher (P=.083) than that of the ACTION program.
The TREK program featured smaller teams (usually 3-4 members) as compared to the ACTION program (8-10 members) who got to know each other much better and had a longer pre-trip discipleship training during which to work on team dynamics and team roles. The TREK training included several team meetings each week and lots of team prayer. As one of the TREK participants who served on a team in India stated, “Teamwork is the key to success in ministry. No one can be as successful as an individual as they can when working as a team” (DL, June 18, 2002).
The longer duration of the TREK program (10 months) versus the ACTION program (6 weeks) seems to have had a significant impact on positive change related to teamwork in ministry.

1. THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING.
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Background and Importance of the Study.
1.3 Description of the Problem
1.4 Statemen of the Research Question
1.5 Subsidiary Research Questions
1.6 Definition of Term
1.7 Abbreviations
1.8 Population and Sample
1.9 Assumptions of the Study
1.10 Delimitations of the Study.
1.11 Summary.
2. LITERATURE..
2.1 Review of the Relevant Literature
2.2 Short-term Christian Mission
Tuttle Study
STEM Studies
Purvis Study.
2.3 Survey of Relevant Biblical Texts
2.4 Discipleship and Short-term Mission.
2.5 Early Anabaptism and Short-Term Mission.
2.6 Anabaptist Short-term Mission Programs In The Study..
3. METHODOLOGY..
3.1 Research Methods
3.2 Data Analysis Methods
3.3 Summary.
4. DATA RESULTS
4.1 Introduction to Data Results.
4.3 Description of the Study Population
4.4 Broad Trends in the Data
4.5 Data Related to the Research Hypotheses
4.6 Summary
5. INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS
Bibliography ..