Writing between the Lines: Examining Unprompted Handwritten Student Comments on a Campus Climate Survey. (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bills, Matthew A.; O'Neal, Eryn Nicole; Hayes, Brittany E.; Meeker, Katherine A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of school violence. Volume 19:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 218
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Campus climate survey -- victimization -- rape myths -- campus resource knowledge -- grounded theory; School violence -- Prevention -- Periodicals; School environment -- Periodicals; 371.78205
• DOI: 10.1080/15388220.2019.1607745
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1538-8220

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study used data from an in-person paper-and-pencil climate survey administered to students in a random sample of classes at a four-year southeastern university. Respondents (N = 248) left unsolicited qualitative comments on the survey (N = 540). Grounded theory was used to determine if themes existed among them. Questions on school safety, rape myths, and resource knowledge prompted the most unsolicited comments (n = 111). Comments centered on clarification or opinions. Given the survey was adapted from a prior climate survey, unsolicited comments highlight areas of clarification and improvement for future iterations of climate surveys. Implications for campus safety are discussed.