1. CAT HERDING: THE QUALITATIVE EXPERIENCE NUR 543

2. EDS COMMERCIAL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SmgLtg1Izw

3. Let’s Brainstorm Pair up and consider three potential exploratory research questions within various methods(grounded theory, phenomenology, and ethnography) Also consider ONE experiemental or quasi – experimental potential research question

4. What are the norms, beliefs, values, expectations and behaviors of cat herders?(Ethnographic approach) A. What defines a member of the Cat Herder’s group? (cultural boundaries): Who should we talk to? How should we collect the data? What kind of data is needed? Can any researcher do this research? B. Describe a cat herder in terms of appearance, interpersonal behavior, manner. C. What things matter to the individuals within the group? (expectations, beliefs, values) D. How does a person gain status or lose face within the group? (Norms and behaviors). E. What issues are dealt with versus what issues are ignored? F. What are examples of negative/deviant cases? G. What other situations could we examine to determine the extent to which this cultural group is unique?

5. Max van Manen’s Guidelines for Researching the Lived Experience Turning to the phenomenon of interest: Cat herding Investigating the experience as lived Reflecting on the essential themes that characterize the phenomenon Describing the phenomenon through the art of writing and rewriting Maintaining a strong and oriented pedagogical relation to the phenomenon Balancing the research context by considering parts and whole.

6. What is the lived experience of being a cat herder? (Phenomenological approach) A Cowboy’s Difficult Job. “It’s the toughest thing I’ve ever done.” “It ain’t an easy job.” Pride in My Profession “Not everyone can be a cat herder.” “I’m living a dream.”

7. Making connections and comparisons Cats are solitary animals. They don’t naturally herd. They shy away from groups. Some of your staff/students may be the same way. Cowboys have a difficult job to do. It takes a great deal of teamwork to get the cats to cross the river together. How can nurses in leadership positions support colleagues in working and learning together?

8. Cats are seemingly aloof. They just don’t seem to care. They can take it or leave it. Some of your staff/students may be like this, too. What is it like to be a cowboy cat herder? The cowboy must have a passion for the profession. In what ways can a nurse leader inspire passion for nursing so that staff and students might understand?

9. Cats are easily distracted. If you throw a paper ball or drag a colored string in front of them, they almost instantly stop what they are doing and start playing. People are often like this, too. Getting the Job Done “When you bring a herd into town and you haven’t lost a one of them, there’s nothing else like it.” What is the experience of nurses’ sharing their vision and leading staff and students to the goals?