Session Two: Qualitative Research Findings - 1 - The Study of Exemplary Congregations in Youth Ministry How the Qualitative Study Was Conducted Thomas H. Berkas, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Department of Organizational Leadership, Bethel University Rev. Hal C. Weldin, D.Min. Candidate, Director, Children, Youth & Family Ministry Student Services, Luther Seminary July 1, 2005 Introduction This paper provides a brief overview of the process that was used to gather and then analyze the data from the site visits of the 21 congregations that were visited as part of the Exemplary Youth Ministry study. It breaks this process down into three phases: preparations, doing the site visits, and analyzing the data. For each phase an explanation is provided of what we were seeking to do as well as how we did this portion of the study. In addition a variety of tools used in this process are included in the appendices which are located at the end of this paper. The qualitative site visits were designed to learn in greater depth and detail how specific congregations are doing exemplary youth ministry. They also sought to identify patterns of approaches used in these congregations. For additional information on the background of this study see Brekke (2005). Phase I – Preparations for the Site Visits What were we seeking to do? Our primary task was to use a modified grounded theory approach (Strauss & Corbin, 1990) that employed a site visit process that employed ethnographic data collection methods (Fetterman, 1989) that were designed to gather a significant amount of data in a short amount of time. This part of the site visit was focused on gathering information about what was the genius of the 21 exemplary congregations that were visited. A second objective was to do follow up research regarding the quantitative data gathered from each congregation. How did we do this? In this initial preparation stage of the study we scoped out what needed to be done with regards to the resources that were available to do the task. This included a series of planning meetings held by the study’s research and advisory teams and in conjunction with the design work that was being done by the quantitative research team. In addition, as this research effort