libr285 adams pptpres article critique siek 111511

8/3/2019 LIBR285 Adams PPTPres Article Critique Siek 111511

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LEADERSHIP UNDER SEVERE STRESS:A Grounded Theory Study

Critique byAlexandra Siek

SJSU LIBR 285Fall 2011


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Topic and method of study GOAL of 1998 study: to develop a theoretical understanding of

leadership under severe stress from a performance-orientedperspective. (Larsson, 441)

No given definition of performance oriented perspective; diddefine severe stress as well as grounded theory approach.

METHOD employed: Grounded theory.

Grounded theory= an inductiveapproach to the study of social lifethat attempts to generate a theoryfrom the constant comparing ofunfolding observations. (Babbie, 307)

Method seems to fit goal.


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Selection of subjects 16 informants selected.

8 Swedish participants: male officers, ages 25 55.

Chosen based on personal knowledge by authors and backgroundof varying experience in stressful leadership positions.

8 Norwegian participants: 4 male officers; 2 female and 2 malepsychologists. Ages: 38 47.

Chosen based on background of varying experience in stressfulleadership positions. Three of the psychologists worked there andtook part in the study. (Larsson, 442)

Selection of males vs. females; reliance on available subjects mightresult in bias.

Scientists acting as subjects high possibility for conflict of interest,lack of objectivity, and impact / effect on what is being observed.

Participants as informants by nature marginal, potential for bias.


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Data Collection

In-depth interviews; follow up group interviews forNorwegian subjects only to stimulate participants tocome up with additional points of view.

Questions differed slightly between the two groups. No raw data or codes were provided in article or as

addenda; impacted extent of this critique.

Possibility: follow-up interviews with Swedishinformants via teleconferencing?

Difference in questioning can lead to different results uniformity among all should have been the goal.


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Data Analysis Interviews were transcribed

verbatim; consecutively analyzed viaCONSTANT COMPARITIVE METHOD.

First reported step was OPEN CODING: scrutinized data to ID

patterns of thought, feelings, & actions related to interviewthemes. Axial coding also seems to have occurred. Formulated 950 codes off of participant language. Compared codes to verify and confirm content, grounding. Integrated categories through sorting codes into categories;

performed comparisons between categories; and betweencategories, codes, and interview protocols. (Larsson, 442) Engaged in delimiting theory - fitted together the categories

using constant comparative method.


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Data Results After fitting together the categories, authors articulated

model of leadership under severe stress and theunderlying circumstances. (Larsson, 442)

E.g. isolated general classes of leadership characteristicsunder severe stress as well as numerous subclasses.

Authors also identified dominant recurring themesthroughout the study.

MAIN

VALUE

OF

STUDY

: data-based map of leadershipduring incidents of high stress or severe crisis, with thecodes and categories that make up this dimension, as wellas the codes and categories in the dimension underlyingcircumstances.


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Limitations and need for further study;

Conclusion

LIMITATIONSACCORDINGTOTHEAUTHOR: the information obtained has not been gathered with the

intention to permit a complete analysis of these underlyingcircumstances [of severe stress] per se and

in constructing [their] current model [they] were limited todata obtained from a selected group of military officers,soldiers, and psychologists.

2-5 years passed between the stressful incidents and theinterviews in the case of the Swedish subjects.

ADDITIONALLIMITATIONSANDPROBLEMS: while the aims andgoals of the study as well as data analysis seemed on track,from the limited perspective of this reviewer, some aspectsof participant selection and data collection seem fraught

with error.

libr285 adams pptpres article critique siek 111511

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