DEVELOPMENTAL CRISIS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD: A ...

After a person expressed interest after reading a recruitment advertisement or
email, they would be emailed an Information Sheet (Appendix B) which outlined the
full criteria for participation. All participants were informed of the nature of the study
and were told that they could withdraw at any time, or refuse to answer any questions.
They were given assurance of total anonymity and data protection. If they fitted the
criteria and consented to participate having being given the full information, an
interview would be scheduled. All were offered £10 for their participation.
5.5 Sample Universe
Theoretically speaking, the sample universe for this project includes all those
individuals who have experienced a crisis between the ages of 25 and 40. This is of
course a potentially very heterogeneous group. The actual sample universe was
substantially homogenised by the recruitment process, which meant that it was
composed of London-based individuals who have some connection with further
education and who have had a crisis between the ages of 25 and 40. This led to a
sample group who were within a fairly narrow demographic: across the three studies
all participants were Caucasian, all except one were employed, all except for two
lived in London, most were middle-class, eight of the twenty two were currently
studying part-time at Birkbeck College, while nine of the twenty two had a connection
with psychology having studied it at some level. Therefore the sample was in
actuality a demographically and culturally homogeneous group. This permitted crosscase
comparison in a way that a highly heterogeneous sample would not, because the
early adult challenges and life structures of this group were comparable. The
homogeneity of the group limits generalisation to other socio-economic groups or
culturally defined groups but on the other hand provides for a model that has stronger
applicability within its demographic parameters, and has a definable socio-cultural
context in which to situate the findings.
5.6 Choosing a Data Source: Semi-Structured Interviews
A number of forms of data collection were given consideration. Analysing
accounts of crisis in autobiographies was considered but rejected on account of the
fact that published autobiography is a source of narrative data that is particularly
prone to rhetorical and dramatic hyperbole. A written report/essay of crisis was also
considered. When reflecting on a past episode in their lives, people often need time to
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