Attachment and Spiritual Maturity 36
Chapter Three
Methodology This chapter describes the research methodology that was used in this study. Sampling and data collection procedures are identified. A description of the sample is provided and the variables used to operationalize the study are described. The
psychometric properties ofthe measurement instruments used to compose the survey are
reviewed. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the limitations of the study.
Sample
One of the primary goals of this study is to explore issues of leadership formation in seminary education. A sample was designed to target seminary students. The
convenience sample was drawn from Talbot School of Theology of Biola University, La
Mirada, California. Students were selected from classes that met three criteria.
First, students attending classes required of all Talbot students were asked to
participate. Second, classes taught by faculty who were willing and had the time to have
their students participate were chosen. Thirdly, the classes involving the researcher as an instructor were omitted. Surveys were distributed during class sessions. A copy of the
survey and participant cover letter are provided in Appendix A.
Sample Characteristics
The sample was composed of 222 seminary students. Six surveys were not
included in the analysis because they were incomplete. There were 139 males and 77
females. The sample consisted of mostly Caucasian and Asian students. Specifically
there were 105 Caucasian, 81 Asian, 10 African-American, 7 Latino, and 13 other. 108
of the students were married. The average annual income for the sample was $25,000.
All the students reported adhering to Christian faith and reported the number ofyears
they were a Christian. The sample ranged from two to fifty years having been a Christian
with a median of 15 years. 121 students reported that their dad was present in their
home of origin all of the time and 51 reported he was present most of the time. 165
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