Module 2 - SLPRESEARCH DESIGN DEVELOPMENTSLP Assignment The Session Long Project (SLP) will focus on the development of Dissertation/DSP Prospectus. Each SLP will require you to draft and strengthen a

A Qualitative Case Study of Inclusive and Diverse Membership with Organizational Partnerships

A Doctoral Study Project Prospectus

Submitted to the Glenn R. Jones College of Business

of Trident University International

a member of the American InterContinental University System

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Doctor of Business Administration

by

Kathryn J. Renbarger

Chandler, Arizona

2023

Fall 2023

Dr. Christopher Linski

List of Tables 4

List of Figures 5

Chapter 1: Introduction 6

Everyday most human beings wake up to a new day. In an ideal situation people wake up to a safe and comfortable place with family, friends, peers, and neighbors within a network and healthy support system in a community. Belonging and social connection are part of the basic needs of living, as explained by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. His theory explains that physiological, safety, belonging and social connection, esteem and self-actualization are the categories of needs to be met for a quality of living. (Rojas, Mendez, & Watkins-Fassler, 2023). The belonging and social connection category is a need for an ideal life. The (US) Surgeon General has reported an epidemic of isolation and loneliness, so the need for belonging and social connection for an ideal quality of life is not being met by many people. The report states that to create social connections there must be a form of structure, function, and quality. Studies from experts in many different professional medical fields have reported that isolation and loneliness greatly increased health problems and shortens their lives. (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). A percentage of that population includes those serving to protect and defend the country. That percentage of individuals protecting and defending the country for everyone’s need for safety, includes the military in with the components that are Active, Guard, Reserve, DOD civilians, NAF employees (Military One Source, 2021). Additionally, first responders also serve to protect and defend the country, such as fire, emergency medical services (EMS), police. 6

Background 7

These defenders need a place to also find safety and social too. One such place for the veterans and their immediate family is the American Legion. It is an organization that has been in the business of veteran’s needs since 1919 (American Legion, 2023) This topic is of interest to this author because the demographics and size of the military and veterans is changing (Schaeffer, 2023). Organizations committed to taking care of those that protect and defend must also adapt to the newer generations of people. The history of the military may have evolved with active, guard and reserve, but now also includes the services of DOD civilians, NAF employees, and other commissioned components not fully recognized in the work family (Vergun, 2019). Another demographic creating safety in the U.S. are first responders who also play an important part of those who support and defend. 7

Problem Statement 10

Purpose Statement 11

Conceptual or Theoretical Framework 11

Research Question(s) 15

Definition of Key Terms 16

Summary 17

Chapter 2: Literature Review 18

Literature Search Strategy 24

Synthesis of the Literature 24

Summary 26

Chapter 3: Methodology 27

Research Methodology and Design 28

Role of the Researcher 29

Population and Sample Selection 29

Instrumentation 30

Data Collection 32

Data Analysis 32

Once the data collection has been completed it will be reviewed. The answers to the questions should be converted to a graph and a chart for viewing and understanding. The analysis will reveal if the recipients see a need for change and if they are ready for it and to what degree. Their opinion validity and reliability will only differ depending on what demographic they may be from. Testing their opinions is not applicable. Software will be used, however unknown at this time. 32

Assumptions 32

Limitations 33

Delimitations 33

Reliability and Validity 33

Ethical Assurances 34

Summary 34

References 35

Appendix A 48

Table 1 31

Family of veteran organizations in service

This project is about membership, belonging and the need to connect. The organization being researched for this project is the American Legion, which is one of several traditional veteran service organizations (VSO) listed by the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). The list of traditional VSOs also includes the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veteran (DAV), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), American Veterans (AMVETS) and Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023). There have been about a hundred more official VSOs created since the traditional ones were, as noted by the VA records (Congressional Research Service, 2022). An official VSO, recognized under title 38 of US code in the VA records, is there to assist with veteran benefits and claims. (Office of General Counsel, 2007) All VSO’s both traditional and non-traditional play an important role in the lives of the veterans and families. The American Legion is on organization among many whose purpose was started and continues today to assist in meeting the needs of veterans and their families. There are many organizations for veterans and their families that were founded before and after the American Legion. Some organizations have similar services and others have different or specific missions.

History

Veteran organizations have been around since May 1783 when the Society of Cincinnati was founded. The United States was founded 7 years prior in 1776. The VFW was founded on 29 September 1899, which is nearly 10 years before the AL, in 1919 (Ukrainian American Veterans, 2019) In more recent times, there are now over 6,000 charitable veteran organizations recorded by (Charity Navigator, 2023). The bigger picture of the organizational goals is similar, so identifying the difference between a veteran membership problem versus an organizational membership veteran has some challenges to research. It would take a much larger research project to identify if all 18 million veterans belong to at least one veteran organization.

This research project will continue to evaluate how the American Legions business processes affect their membership. There are different possibilities for an organization such as the American Legion (AL) to have a decline in membership. As previous articles reported the reason for decline as an older generation of members having a failure to attract younger or female members. (Constantine, 2013; Lambert, 2022; Sok, 2020) However, membership decline issues are not just a marketing or operational challenge. There is more to the AL’s identity to understand, which in some contexts follows the cultural changes in US history, along with effects of wars and conflicts.

People who join the military are first civilians who then transition into service men and women. The transition process into the service has been evolving since before the creation of the US military. A term of service starts on day one of an enlistment or commissioning. A term can last anywhere from months to 40 years (Department of Defense, 2023). After serving their term, if not otherwise terminated, a service member becomes can then be discharge by either separation or retirement to become a veteran.

Population

When the population of the military changes the population of veteran’s changes. (Shaeffer, 2023; Military One Source, 2021) For an organization to function it must have engaged members who value why they are there. (Greiner, Leduc, O’Brien, Creswell-Smith, Rugulies, Wahlbeck, Abudlla, Amann, Pashoja, Coppens, Corcoran, Maxwell, Ross, de Winter, Arensman, & Aust, 2022); Baptiste, 2008) The Active and engaged members of a social service organization focused on mutual helpfulness of veterans, military, their families and communities. Then the social and brand identities are secure. It’s important for continuity of operations to regularly recruit new members. The American Legion is such a social organization with a valuable mission.

The problem to be addressed by this study was first identified by (Constantine, 2013; Krauss, 2015; Lambert, 2022; Sok, 2020) that traditional veteran service organizations such as the American Legion had a decline in membership. The reason listed for the decline of new and younger members, especially females, were contributed to age and gender. The age referring also to the person as well as the war the veteran may have fought in. However, this study will go further into the social and brand identity in what the perceived value of the American Legion is. Secondly what strategies could the American Legion implement to bring more life and members into its family. The subsequent effects of not belonging to a family can led to isolation, medical issues, addictions, homelessness, and even suicide. (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2023)

The purpose of this study is to identify the gap in communication and services in what is currently valuable and then in what strategies can be undertaken to improve membership and engagement. Using a qualitative case study with the appreciative inquiry theory design to look at what is going well for the organization. What is it that its members or potential members believe they do well and if that can be improved upon. (Fry, Cooperrider, Stavros, & Whitney, 2008). The larger community of veterans, military, first responders and their families have unique roles in their working lives and could create a stronger support system. (Dixon, Kendall, Driscoll, & Pope, 2022).

This study started out with a veteran business with perceived recognition of a veteran membership business problem. The brand identity of the business and the social identities of possible membership are two related and applicable business theories. (Elbedweihy, 2014) There is a decline in new membership, which can be affected by the brands identity with a diverse set of social identities to connect. Current membership in the AL is about 2 million (American Legion, 2023), with the veteran population at about 18 million. (Military One Source, 2021). Those numbers reflect that there are currently 16 million veterans who are not members of the AL. The US is spread out across many miles and those 16 million, plus spouses and children, that possibly do not belong to a veteran organization as part of their resource support system. That data is currently unknown. The previous reports of the problem also reported that members are dying out in old age and the newer generation especially women were not joining. In the lifespan of the military the overall numbers have significantly reduced from previous war time periods which then affects veterans’ organizations overall eligible numbers. Less military and fewer veterans.

Additionally of the 18 million estimated veteran population about 17 million of them are male and about 1 million of them are female. (Veterans Affairs, 2010) (US DOD, 2022) Though male to female ratio in the military is changing as more women join, after having many decades when women either weren’t allowed in or were extremely restricted and weren’t allowed benefits following their service. There are still older generations of male service men that haven’t accepted women’s service and their discrimination have set a negative association with veteran service organizations such as the American Legion. (AL). (American Legion, 2023)

Membership means belonging to something in a group of someone’s. The problem with a membership decline is that people are possibly not getting their needs met. Without a healthy support system capable of helping, those needs can end up going unaddressed and unmet, leading to further problems. There are other demographics of people who could increase the connectivity and strengthen community. Being in the military comes with a level of understanding of what the job costs those who serve. Those people who may understand to some level what happens in the military are first responders. (Burke, Schmiegel, 2022; The United States Government, 2023) Facilitating ways to connect more people, such as military veterans, first responders, can be mutually beneficial to them and their communities.

Marketing

In communities getting information out can be challenging, such as what resources are available and then where and when they can be attained. The AL is an organization with its own set of services and products, with locations across the United States and a few locations overseas. (American Legion, 2023) It is important for the right information to get to people who need it. Marketing ads for different products or services are in many places or mediums, but not always what is needed when it is needed or understood. An approach that uses customer-integrated marketing communications may be able to reach more people in a way that speaks to them (Finne, Gronroos, 2017). It is invaluable to do research to know who the people in the sought after population are.

Americanism

The population of the United States is a country that from its beginnings in 1776 grew from the people of other countries. Much of the population has roots of their family tree originating in other regions of the world, other than Native Americans. (Jin, Wang, 2023) The research design of the Appreciative Inquiry considers a different perspective of what the organization does well to develop and do more of that. (Fry, Cooperrider, Stavros, & Whitney, 2008). One part of the American Legions mission is to promote Americanism.

is mostly older men, then evaluating the needs of phases of life of the older generation is one possible strategy. There are many things the older generation needs as well and must pass down to the younger generations. Being retro or antique can be a unique aspect of finding a repurpose of time for people that need less isolation. The US Surgeon reported isolation being a huge problem. (OASH, 2023) Another strategy is to create a new category of eligible members, such as first responders, or DOD GS or NAF employees, or other uniformed service members outside the list of eligible armed service members. (Blouin, 2023) Additionally, for the purposes of perspectives and strategies what is being marketed. People need to know that an organization is a safe place to be in. Women, and even the veteran LGBT+ communities, need to know that the American Legion is adapting to more diverse cultures and is a safe place. A campaign about safety and diversity or adding more cultures to their to how the Americanism shows pride. Lastly, as mentioned previously, one organization cannot get 100% alone without mutual aid or collaboration with other organizations locally. Every community has differences that make them who they are. Like other types of business some towns’ main stores are a Walmart and a Dairy Queen and some gas stations. Other cities have thousands of options in different sections. When organizations work together on joint missions, that mission gets done. A strategy worth getting better at is collaborating with other organizations in what they do best.

Testing Sample

When a survey or interview has questions to test, the organizational point of contact would be the place to start. (American Legion, 2023) He has already spoken of getting me others to speak to. Then I can see how they respond to what I have written and adjust accordingly. For example, the strategies listed above. Did I explain the problem, the why the problem is a problem and the strategies adequately enough for the audience, which may likely be older men twice my age or at least 20 years older.

RQ1. What are the strategies that the American Legion can undertake to promote membership growth and increase retention?

RQ2. What is the perceived value of the American Legion?

Membership. The state or status of being a member. The body of members such as in an organization with a large membership. (Merriam-Webster, 2023)

Military Veteran. To establish veteran status, a servicemember must satisfy the statutory requirement of “active military, naval, air, or space service.” (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2022)

The American Legion. A patriotic veterans organization charted by Congress in 1919. (The American Legion, 2023)

Traditional Veteran Service Organizations. The traditional veterans service organization according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs consists of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, AMVETS, and Vietnam Veterans of America. (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023)

Uniformed Service Members. The uniformed members are Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, the Commissions Corps of the Public Health Service and the Administrative Officer Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrative Officer Corps. Which are included in the U.S.C. Title 37 (Vergun, 2019; Veteran Life, 2023).

We live in a world where almost all of us wake up to a new day of possibilities. We are not alone, nor do we have to be lonely. Everyone has a role to play in our world of working on the next right thing. We, in a single organization or in a network of organizations filled with good people with common goals work together different options to get there can create a healthy and diverse support system. (Shyu, 2021)

The general topic means to discuss an organizational membership decline in the American Legion (Constantine, 2013; Sok, 2020; Gregory, 2021; Lambert, 2022). The name of the organization suggests a legion of Americans organized to support Americanism, or pride in being from the country of the United States of America. The organization was created to support military veterans who defend and protect life in the United States. (Eligibility for membership into the American Legion consists of military veterans, their spouses, and their children. (American Legion, 2023) Though over the century that the American Legion (American Legion, 2023) has been around there are others whose service also contributes to the defense and protection of living in the United States.

Strategy/Perspective Alpha/One – Team Growth Acknowledgement

There are several departments that oversea the governmental administration of the country and the Department of Defense is responsibility for defense among other things. Some roles may be in different departments. The Department of Defense recognizes civilian and non-appropriated fund (NAF). (U.S. Department of Defense, 2021; DCPAS, 2023). The traditional branches of the military armed services include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and the newly formed Space Force. However, there are two other categories of uniformed services. The two other categories are Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS Commission Corps) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Commission Corps) (Vergun, 2019; Blouin, 2023; Veteran Life, 2023). There is another significant group whose service also includes protection and defense in a slightly different aspect than the military and that group is first responders. The attack on September 11th 2001 is one example of when working together became more obvious. (FEMA, 2021; Slack, 2022; 911 Memorial and Museum, 2023; News Chanel 5, 2023)

Increasing the categories of eligible members is one strategy that could be undertaken by the American Legion to update their list of who is in service to protect and defend. Now since this organization was founded by an act of congress with a 501c19 nonprofit status it has some extra rules with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) about who helps military veterans, and the answer can be facilitated with the listed categories. (Internal Revenue Service, 2023; American Legion, 2023) This strategy is important because it could help facilitate the network in a community become more proactively resilient.

For a community to be able to be resilient proactively there must be more ways to facilitate connection. The US Surgeon General reported that isolation and loneliness is its own epidemic (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2023). Loneliness is only a small piece of that report that can lead to serious health problems and even suicide (Sonza, 2018; U.S. Department of Defense, 2023).

Over the years those who are part of the protect and defend team have grown. However, in many places it is not acknowledged, or people may not have thought of it that. Veterans helping veterans or we take care of our own are common phrases that are missing more of their support system. (Petersen, 2015; Adamich, 2018; Facundo, 2022; Veterans Helping Veterans, Inc., 2023). The number of veterans changes due to several reasons. The current authorized amount of military which has changed over the years depending on the global war status, budget among other reasons. The end strength as it is called for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 reflects there were 1, 348, 479 authorized personnel in the active armed services component for the Army, Navy Air Force and Marines. It takes a different number of programs to recruit and separate to reach those exact numbers which are not always met, plus or minus (Congressional Research Service, 2022).

As of end of day on November 07, 2023, the population of the United Stated according to the population calculator in the United States Census Bureau reflected 335, 688, 784 (United States Census Bureau, 2023). Now the Census Bureau also shows that there are about 18 million veterans in a 2020 new release, which is down from 26.4 million between 2000-2018 (U.S. Census, 2020). A Veterans Affairs population report for 2020-2050 reflects that same 18 million in 2021 with a slow decline projected. (Veterans Affairs Office of Policy and Planning, 2010)

Strategy/Perspective Brava/Two Partnerships/Collaboratives and Joint Mission

There are many times that people (or businesses) try to do everything themselves with no help from others. A business may be able to create all their needs without working others, but why make things harder. Working with other people or businesses creates a healthier environment and ecosystem. (Jean-Louis & Klamer, 2016) (Dixon, Kendall, Driscoll, & Pope, 2022). In researching the American Legion there are many historically progressive efforts in its time since it was founded in 1919 and is now over 100 years old. (American Legion, 2023)

We discussed the military and veteran population in whole numbers and the United States also. A report from the Census Bureau reflects that in the country the male to female ratio is almost even. (Census Bureau, 2023; Kiersz, 2018). However, in the military, the ratio is much different. A 2021 Department of Defense report stated that though on the rise women made up 17.3% equating to 237,741 female personnel on active duty (U.S. Department of Defense, 2022). Similar coordinating growth is shown in the veteran population of about 18 million veterans 2 million of them are women. (US Department of Veterans Heath Administration Women’s Health, 2022).

The importance of the discussing populations is that one of the previous studies reasons given for the American Legions decline in membership is connected to these numbers. Those previous studies reflected that younger veteran, especially female, are not joining the American Legion. (Constantine, 2013; Sok, 2020; Gregory, 2021; Lambert, 2022). Historically there have always been more males in the military. There were many challenges to overcome for women to join the military (Air University, 2021; Kester, 2021).

Though the number of women in the military and veterans are on the rise, the country is spread out over 3.5 million square miles (Munson, 2022). This can make it more complicated for women veterans to connect with other women veterans, especially limiting to one organization, such as the American Legion, that is historically mostly male. For an organization that is known for being mostly older men it may not be a simple task to recruit women. Brand identity or social stigma of an organization as old as the American Legion can be difficult to change. This is one example why partnering or collaborating with other organizations may help membership or even the common goals or missions of veteran service organizations.

Additionally, one of the benefits of belonging to traditional organizations (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2023), such as American Legion is that they have brick and mortar buildings to physically go to. (American Legion, 2023) Many of the younger veteran organizations do not have the infrastructure. Instead of stationary buildings different places in the community are used. Both options have their benefits and downfalls.

Strategy/Perspective Three All Americans pride culture/heritage/joy

A healthy environment and ecosystem require diversity. The American Legion does show American pride in their culture and social/brand identity. The traditional red, white, and blue 4th of July pride is what is primarily seen. However, the United States has a rich culturally diverse background. There are many different cultures in this country to include Asian Americans, Native Americans, Middle Eastern Americans, European Americans, African Americans and even Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans (LGBT+) American communities across the continent. Those categories have many subcategories of ethnicities that could be celebrated as pride in what we are made of.

The social norms of our society are adapting to be more understanding and aware of the value of diversity. (Kirton & Greene, 2019) People are more able to feel safe in being who they are in the truths of where they came from, what religion they practice, and their gender identity. Freedom and safety without fear of unfair laws or being harmed could lead to a better quality of life for many.

The initial search strategy starts with the Google search engine. For simplified versions of information. Then in many situations going into search engine of the Trident University International library to validate the information with scholarly works. The organization of research is the American Legion, which has its own website and published literature. (American Legion, 2023) There are many pieces of information that are important to pull from the Veterans Affairs, Census Bureau, and other department and governmental agencies. (Census Bureau, 2023; Veteran Affairs, 2023)

Theoretical orientation

In an ideal business the process of transition from military service to a veteran would be a smooth reintegration process as it was for the individual to join. In theory an organization with a membership decline should not be a problem because every veteran would have organized and welcoming pathways to choose from. Instead, the messages of resources are lost in the sea of marketing, transition, social identity.

The social and brand identity of the military have adapted over the centuries with the country’s cultural changes. (Stets & Burke, 2000) (Guerrero, Wiedbusch, Abo, Nguyen, Soto-Nevarez, Principato, & Jason, 2021). American Legion has been around for over a century and has made changes of its own. (American Legion, 2023)

It is not currently a transition business process that each military service member be assigned a specific person or veteran service organization as they transition out. There are many organizations available to choose from with different business processes of their own. It is up to the members to figure out what they need, which can be overwhelming and can lend itself to more than too many unfavorable situations.

Conceptual framework

Membership is a form of belonging. There are several branches of the military that each have their own subculture. There are strengths and weaknesses to all ways of military and post military life. A concept is that the American Legion is one organization that is part of the traditional and nontraditional or newer veteran service organizations as well as the bigger picture with all veterans, who were once civilians and citizens who need help reintegrating into the not so formal membership of a community.

Synthesis

A synthesis of what is known about general organizational membership recruitment business processes, and what specifically needs to be addressed when there is a decline in membership for a require information about the numbers in and getting out of military, then operations of what a person does or how they benefit once a member is important to engagement and renewed memberships.

The research problem states there is a decline in membership into the American Legion and other traditional veteran service organizations. (Constantine, 2013; Sok, 2020; Gregory, 2021; Lambert, 2022). However, in further research the total number of authorized militaries has decreased over the years, leaving the total number of veterans also decreasing. As the older veterans die out, it would be assumed or ideal for younger generations of veterans to take their place.

In looking at numbers in the other traditional veteran service organizations their membership numbers are less. It would be ideal to be able to have 100% accountability of all veterans in status to be a member of at least one veteran service organization, though not currently measurable. There may always be a margin of past military members that want nothing to do with the military once they leave.

The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that there are approximately 18 million veterans, and 2 million of them being female. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the VA report that show the number of female veterans is growing. (Military One Source, 2021)

Everyone needs a healthy support system. Communities and individual’s proactive resiliency come from learning to work together as a work family. (Newman & Dale, 2005). In the world of work, we are all coworkers working on something. An organization, such as the American Legion can adapt to include all categories of people who have chosen service to the country’s safety in the armed or uniformed service, the DOD civilians and NAF employees, first responders and all their families to facilitate connection. (USA JOBS, 20231) Partnerships with other organizations who specialize in different services or can overlap abilities to ensure everyone is helped. (Nurmala, De Leeuw, Dullaert, 2017). Everyone wakes up to the same sun on the same planet, except astronauts in space. The military, veterans and first responders are all working together to create a safer place for us to live. Pride in who we are as individuals, will a rich cultural diversity is just as important to be prideful about as who we are as a country.

Studies identified finding that were written by (Constantine, 2013; Krauss, 2015; Lambert, 2022; Sok, 2020) that several older traditional veteran service organizations such as the American Legion had a decline in membership. The purpose of this study is to identify the gap in communication and services in what is currently valuable and then in what strategies can be undertaken to improve membership and engagement. Using the appreciative inquiries 4-D cycle in an affirmative top choice with discovery, dream, design, and destiny as the research model. (Fry, Cooperrider, Stavros, & Whitney, 2008).

A qualitative case study with the appreciative inquiry design will be used to evaluate the membership decline of the American Legion with its network of social identity and peer organizations. The methodology was chosen for an in-depth evaluation of business problem of the American Legion which is also an American veteran problem with mutual goals of quality of life. The other possibilities of methodologies, such as quantitative and mixed method, were determined to be too complex for this study.

The design of the case study using appreciative inquiry was chosen to allow us to appreciate the good parts, the organization’s strengths and what currently gives it life for its current members. (Fry, Cooperrider, Stavros, & Whitney, 2008). There are many great things going right for the current population of members. The other possibilities of designs, such as experimental, correlative, did not allow for as in-depth positive perspective outlook.

My role as a researcher in relation to the organization is a veteran in the demographic as a younger age bracket and female, that is identified as not joining the American Legion. Additionally, parents, grandparents, cousins and spouse and peers are also in the eligible membership criteria, but not all are members. (American Legion, 2023)

The overall population of interest are those in service to protect and defend our country. The military, veterans, first responders, DOD Civilians, NAF employees, and their families. The military and veterans can be separated into subgroups by branch of service. The first responders can be separated into subgroups by the type of response provided. The DOD Civilians and NAF employees can be separated into subgroups by branch of service or overall DOD. (Military One Source, 2021). The family members can be separated into subgroups by relationships such as spouse or long-term partner, or children.

Sample Selection

Recruitment for the sample will start with my existing network. Then will use existing contacts to share or snowball the request for information. (van Berkel, Ferriera, Kostakos, 2018) Permissions may be required for organizational channels. (American Legion, 2023)

[Describe any archived data or other secondary data and include a description of how the data were originally collected and for what purpose along with information regarding validity and reliability. Describe any published instruments (tests, questionnaires, observation procedures) that will be used, including information on their origin, evidence of their reliability and validity, and your rationale for selection. Describe in detail any materials (including survey/instruments, field testing or pilot testing of instruments) and include their results and any subsequent modifications. Describe interview protocols including a description of how the interview questions were developed with appropriate qualitative research method support. Adequately describe any apparatus including the model/make, how it is used, and outcome(s) it provides. Use an instrument matrix table to summarize your selections (example table follows). Show and include evidence that permission was granted to use the instrument(s) in the appendix.

Table 1

Instruments Matrix

For qualitative studies, the use of newly developed and literature-based interview protocols is more common and acceptable. Describe the development process in detail followed by the field-testing procedures used and consequent modifications that were made.]

Pilot Study / Field Testing [if applicable]

[Briefly describe any planned pilot study and its purpose. The normal purpose is to verify the readability and clarity of your survey using a small group of test participants known to you, not the actual study participants.]

A flyer will be created with the stated purpose, topic, eligibility, approximate time of survey questionnaire. Additionally, it will have a QR code and link available to get to the survey. A section for further questions and contact information will be added. Once a participant follows the QR code or link to the survey further guidance, confidentiality and privacy will be indicated prior to moving forward with answering any further questions. Some secondary data may be included to validate the questions. (Rudikowa, Myslivec, Sobolevsky, Nenko, & Savenkov, 2019).

The assumptions about the study population and design are that some will see the need for change, and some will not. Those that see the need for change may be in a varying degree of how much change and in what time frame it should be completed.

The study limitation may be with the wide age range of participants. Many older participants may not be up to date on the current workforce of the Department of Defense. Veterans helping veterans is a widely used message and anyone not a veteran could be seen as not helpful. Secondary information published by reliable sources can validate the information.

The scope of the data used in the study extends the boundaries of those currently in service to the country and those who still believe the oath they signed into. There may be a percentage of people who may have been forced into the military as youth instead of jail time. There may be people who have extreme political beliefs and see the questions as opposed to their own beliefs. A margin of care will be expected. Veterans helping veterans, even though the population is getting smaller, may still be the only option for some people.

[Describe the strategies you’ll use to establish reliability and validity for your study as a whole. If you have qualitative elements in your study, how will you establish credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability? For all studies, be sure to address any issues related to bias.]

Compliance with ethical standards for conducting research will be strictly adhered to. Prior to the start of the questionnaire information will be provided. Participants will always know their options. The questionnaire will not save the data until the final submit button is clicked. A participant may stop the survey at any time. There will not be a greater than minimal risk as in-depth personal information is not necessary. The data will remain in the need-to-know control of the student and university in accordance with IRB requirements. The role of the researcher is to observe, orientate, analyze, decide, and report. The relevant issues, including the biases, is to understand different perspectives of the range of participants. The study is intended to highlight possibilities of positive change and manage expectations. Each analysis or findings will review a balance of perspectives to prevent biases and other experiences from undue influence. Only minimal demographic information will be collected as needed for the study’s purpose. Prior to collection of data the Institutional Review Board from Trident University International must approve all material.

[Summarize relevant and significant points of the chapter. Provide a scholarly transition to the next chapter.]

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Adamich, T. (2018). Veterans (librarians) helping veterans. Dttp, 46(3), 15-19. https://doi.org/10.5860/dttp.v46i3.6827

Air University (AU). (2021, August 17). Marissa Kester. Air University (AU). https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/AUPress/Display/Article/2905372/marissa-kester/

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[Appendices should be presented in the order they are referenced in the body of the prospectus manuscript. At a minimum, the appendices should include:

• Power analysis evidence if used to determine sample size

• Relevant site permission(s) OR copies of site permission requests

• Relevant recruitment letter(s)

• Informed consent letter(s)

• Copies of instruments

• Evidence of permission to use or adapt published instruments (if required)

• IRB training (CITI) certificate

Note: Each appendix item should be listed with a new appendix letter in alphabetical order: Appendix A, B, C…]

RQ1. What are the strategies that the American Legion can undertake to promote membership growth and increase retention?

1. How are new members welcomed into the organization?

a) Not well-they exist-minimally-self helped.

b) Welcomed-orientated-friendly-safe-guided.

c) Both of a & b apply - so it depends.

d) I’m not sure.

e) Other:

2. Is the American Legion working with enough local and national agencies and organizations to maximum mutual community support?

a) No changes are needed.

b) The AL has too many connections.

c) More connections would provide better coverage.

d) I’m not sure.

e) Other:

3. Americanism (Independence, equality before the law, freedom of speech, democracy, progress, etc.) is promoted by the AL. Do you feel the pride shown by the American Legion reflects all of Americans?

a) The pride shown is great-no change needed.

b) The pride shown is too much so put some of it away.

c) The pride shown is missing different American cultural heritages and diversities.

d) I’m not sure.

e) Other:

4. In a legion of Americans in the organization of American Legion’s its mission is “To enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, our militaries, and our communities, by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.”

Is the category of eligible members into the AL still appropriate or should there be growth?

1. The categories are fine the way they are, don’t change them.

2. There are too many categories as it is.

3. A fourth category is considerable to strengthen the mission for the communities at home that could include Department of Defense (DOD)/Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) civilians or contractors, First Responders, and U.S.C. Title 37: United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHS), U.S.C. Title 37: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA).

4. I’m not sure.

5. Other:

RQ2. What is the perceived value of the American Legion?

1. What do you believe the American Legion does best?

2. What gives the American Legion life?