“IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE MORE STUFF ABOUT INDIAN CULTURE”: AN EXPLANATORY SEQUENTIAL MIXED METHODS STUDY OF NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS’ LIVED EXPERIENCES, MATRICULATION, AND RETENTION

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to understand Native American students’ matriculation, retention, and lived experiences at Sunshine University (SU). Through a sequential design, academic profile, first-generation status, gender, age, campus involvement, enrollment status, and academic major were analyzed in how it predicts matriculation and retention of Native American students at SU. To provide a deeper understanding into Native American students at SU this study centered Native American students’ voices as it relates to their lived experiences in matriculating and persisting at SU.
This study used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Mixed methods research combines both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007; Ivankova et al., 2006; Merriam & Tisdell, 2016; Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2009). A sequential mixed methods design is conducted through sequences, in this study, phases, beginning with quantitative data collection and analyses and followed by qualitative data collection and analysis (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2007; Ivankova et al., 2006; Merriam & Tisdell, 2016; Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2009). This study was conducted in a three-phrase process: 1) quantitative data collection and analyses; 2) qualitative data collection and analysis; and 3) meta-inference and integration of the phases.