Study Methods Tip: A Good Sample Defines Your Study

There is no better example of the old axiom—you get out what you put it—than when applied to the selection of a sample for your survey data collection. Selecting the right sample will ensure that you can answer the questions that you desire when your study is done.

Sampling can be a scary process for those who are not familiar with the techniques, so when possible, we do recommend connecting with a professional sampling statistician to assist. However, there are some basics to consider when implementing a study like the MSL . . .

Blog, Study Methods TipScott D. CrawfordAugust 7, 2020MSL2021

MSL Scale Spotlight: Social Perspective-Taking

Recently, I was visiting with family when one of my relatives started talking about the protests related specifically to the murders of several Black folks across the country and more generally to police brutality and systemic racism. She mentioned that the violence against Black people is horrible but that she didn’t agree with blocking off highways and other areas or the destruction of property that was happening concurrently with the protests. Normally, I would let comments like this slide – I prefer not to rock the boat with family. But this time I felt compelled to provide a different perspective, to push back and challenge my relative to see it differently . . .

MSL Scale SpotlightBen Correia-HarkerJuly 13, 2020MSL2021, Social Perspective Taking, Measure

The MSL as a Cross-Campus Collaboration: Leveraging Resources in Times of Change

As we navigate this challenging time of a pandemic, economic struggle, and civil unrest, many campuses are discerning the best ways to meet students’ needs and maximize resources. Administrators and educators are encountering a new landscape. For many campuses, enrollment is down. We’re not sure what campus life will look like in the fall. Campus behaviors and policies should shift as they live out anti-racist stances. There are several considerations to take into account, and at the same time, influential resource constraints. Thus campuses need to be savvy about opportunities they engage.

What many may not realize is the MSL can support efforts for numerous stakeholders on campus and provide insights to guide administrators and educators in the midst of these changes and uncertainty. All too often, the MSL can be seen as limited to leadership programs, student activities, or student engagement. Yes, the MSL provides valuable information for these initiatives and it can provide so much more meaningful information for a range of departments across campus.

BlogBen Correia-HarkerJune 24, 2020MSL2021, change, COVID-19, resources

MSL Scale Spotlight: Resilience

The MSL is a powerful and informative tool for any college or university. With most higher education institutions touting graduates as being prepared to effectively lead organizations and communities, administrators must be attuned to the degree to which they actually prepare students to engage in leadership. Not only should educators focus on students’ abilities to engage leadership, they must also attend to related mindsets, skillsets, and considerations that influence the degree to which graduates are able to effectively lead. Thus, through a series of spotlight articles, we want to highlight different constructs the MSL measures, the ways these measures influence leadership practice, and how they might be of use to various stakeholders on campus.

This week, we want to showcase resilience . . .

Blog, MSL Scale SpotlightBen Correia-HarkerMay 25, 2020MSL2021, Resilience, Scale, Measure

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