Date of Award

5-30-2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.

College

College of Education

Department

Education

First Advisor

Audrey Rabas, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Mari Ann Callais, Ed.D.

Third Advisor

Nesa Sasser, Ed.D.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a perceived impact of sorority chapter size on the sorority member experience. The qualitative instruments provided the means to understand the member experience based on sorority chapter size. Fifteen sorority women that affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference were used in this study. Participants were from chapters around the country and members of various chapter sizes. Theories used to provide the framework for the study were Josselson’s theory of identity development in women, Gilligan’s theory of Women’s Moral Development, Chickering Seven Vectors of Identity Development, and Astin’s Student Development Theory. The study used five themes identified by Cohen, McCreary, and Schutts which were shared social experiences, belonging, support and encouragement, accountability, and common purpose. The main research question for this study sought to explore the lived experience of the sorority members and sorority chapter size. Throughout the research process, the sorority women shared their lived experiences based on chapter size and the five themes. Results from this qualitative study were gathered by using one-on-one interviews along with member checking. Data was analyzed using the Van Kaam method. Based on the information provided by the participants, the researcher found that involvement played a role overall in the sorority member experience rather than the specific sorority chapter size.

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