Execution of the Study Itself.

¶ … execution of the study itself. Mixed method approaches can bridge differences, focusing separately, yet intimately, on more than one group and how those groups can be affected in multiple ways. Thus, a mixed method approach would prove most effective for the study of post-tenure review.

Post-tenure review is a recently established evaluation system which checks teacher performance to ensure proper performances. It requires teaching evaluations for educators even after they have hit a tenure period with their academic institution. Thus, it places educators in jeopardy of loosing their jobs despite previously promised tenure protection. It would also affect the students. If it does what administrators claim, it would eliminate poor educators and provide students access to better education. Must find a study approach that will examine post-tenure reviews and how they affect the educators and students involved.

An appropriate rationale for the framework requires mixed methodological approach. Mixed methodology is for a multi-phased study; the study must look at tenure review over a period of time. Within mixed method approaches, "The researcher first conducts a qualitative phase of a study and then a quantitative phase, or vice versa," (Creswell & Plano-Clark 2008:21). It must be a mixed methodology design utilizing sequential studies, where two phases are completely separate from each other, allowing for long durations of time to pass between them without disrupting the validity of the research (Creswell & Plano-Clark 2008:21).

Additionally, it would be most effective utilizing paradigm relativism "the use of whatever philosophical and/or methodological approach works for the particular research problem or study," (Creswell & Plano-Clark 2008:9). The mixed methods approach uses a combination of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Within this context, positivism views that there is "a single reality." Occurrences have concrete consequences. Thus, "time and context-free generalizations are possible," (Creswell & Plano-Clark 2008:10). Mixed methods allows for different groups to be examined, with attention to all of those groups' realities. It goes past cultural boundaries; "In society at large, trends in demographics and increased social pluralism increase the importance of recognizing cultural differences and injustice based on those cultural differences," (Creswell & Plano-Clark 2008:68).

Additionally, a critical theory based approached would help explore the two groups' innate characteristics. According to research, critical theory is "a search for a more egalitarian and democratic social order," (Creswell & Plano-Clark 2008:67). It will properly prepare the study to deal with how tenure affects the power within the educational context. Critical theory breaks it down into political elements; and "With specific focus on the political nature of institutions, critical theorists analyze power interests and how research can be used to either challenge or support the status quo," (Creswell & Plano-Clark 2008:67). Additionally, critical theory would provide a clearer access to the students affected by post-tenure review. With poor educators, students are disenfranchised -- they are denied access to a good education, being subjugated by the poor educators who have no fear of termination.

Finally, the transformative-emancitory paradigm would be most effective within the context of this research. Research in post-tenure review will need to focus on a marginalized group, professors expecting their tenure to protect their jobs. Post-tenure reviews post a threat to that status by their ability to place the position in jeopardy. According to research, TE "consciously analyzes asymmetric power relationships, seeks ways to link the results of social inquiry to action, and links the results of the inquiry to wider questions of social inequity and social justice," (Creswell & Plano-Clark 2008:74).