The Phase 1 survey was sent to academic staff (permanent and sessional) was distributed via a research assistant to ensure that there was no undue influence as the chief researcher held the position of Director Academic Workforce-Sessional. Data collected included statistical data regarding academic participant demographics in relation to education status, country of obtaining their initial registered nurse qualifications, if they were a registered nurse or 'other' academic involved with marking in the SoNM, such as a bioscientist or researcher. Years of being a registered nurse, years of marking experience at WSU and other tertiary institutions. This created the quantitative dataset.
The survey created used the literature review to determine the questions asked. The survey contained four areas of interest, including the participant experiences with marking, their confidence with marking, attitude towards marking, motivation to mark, their practices and their beliefs about marking and assessments (CAMPB). These were classified into Quality and Standards, Consistency and Variability, Practices and Beliefs, Training and Supports.
From the survey, the project utilized qualitative data, academic participants were asked if they would be willing to partake in the Phase 2 paired interviews (with another academic of their choice). Permanent academic staff were then interviewed by the chief researcher. Sessional staff were interviewed by the research assistant. For the paired interviews students were also included, a message was sent by an admin person to all enrolled students in the BN, students were interviewed by the chief researcher as no student was a student of the chief researcher.
Following the paired interviews, staff and students were invited to participate in Phase 3, further qualitative focus groups, wherein staff and students were combined.
Data was collected from 2020-2023 at Western Sydney University, School of Nursing and Midwifery. Undergraduate nursing and midwifery students and staff. Campuses were Parramatta, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Campbelltown.