Sorority Rituals - Reflections On Rites of ... - Mari Ann Callais

Focus Group and Individual Questions
First, I would like to thank you for agreeing to participate in my research study. The
purpose of this study is to examine the role of ritual. Since most sorority members when referring
to ritual, specifically refer to the initiation ritual, the focus of this interview will be that
ceremony. You will hear the word initiation and ritual both used. If you need to clarify what your
initiation is, that is fine. The following questions have been developed to open dialogue about
your feelings and impressions of the impact that the initiation ritual has on you as an individual
and your chapter.
Please complete the Undergraduate Sorority Member Profile Questions (USMPQ) and the
Interview Consent Form. The interviews will be taped and coded. Your identity and affiliation
will be kept confidential.
Interview Questions
Opening 1. Why did you join a sorority?
Opening 2. What are some of the positive and negative aspects of being in your
sorority?
Introduction 3. When you hear the word "ritual,” what comes to mind? What was your first
impression when you heard the word ritual or initiation?
Transition 4. Suppose you had to talk to someone outside of your sorority on the topic of
ritual, without revealing any secrets, what would you say?
Key 5. How did you learn about your sorority's ritual?
Key 6. What do you believe is the general purpose of your sorority's initiation
ceremony and the other ritual ceremonies of your sorority or sororities in
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