Analysing Information

To analyse the information I had collected, I read the interviews and my notes, trying to get a sense of where people were coming from, if they were changing, and if there were shifts in how they viewed themselves. I found it helpful to devise a list of questions that could be applied to all the information I had collected. These included:

• Who is speaking?
• What are they saying?
• Are they being consistent?
• What are some possible reasons they might feel the way they do?

My responses to the questions helped me to look for patterns and draw conclusions. I also compared notes from the interviews and observations at the start of the project with those made toward the end. I also looked for similarities among the women, and whether there were some concepts or changes that they all shared. When I noted inconsistencies, I reflected about why they were there.

Facilitating the Project

I arranged to use a meeting space in the Learning Centre on a weekly basis. I found comfortable seating and tried to make the space inviting to the participants. I also arranged for another staff person, who was doing a work placement program at the Learning Centre, to participate as a co-facilitator. I had taken facilitator training and knew the value of having a co-facilitator who might see things that I missed and could spell me off as needed.

I assembled the materials and planned the exercises I would use with the group. I knew I would follow some of the principles of the Writing Out Loud program, including the free writing exercise that would begin each session. As well, I planned to use other methods and exercises I found or developed that were appropriate to address the topic of self-concept.