Thank you to all participants who made this study possible. I collected more data than expected, providing a rich set of stories and insights to analyze for my master’s thesis.

With data collection now complete, I have moved on to the next stages of research.

First, I am reviewing the anonymous surveys and interview transcripts through a process called coding. This involves identifying patterns in the data, comparing similarities and differences among responses, and uncovering key themes that emerge across participants’ experiences.

After this initial round, I will conduct a second phase known as focused coding. This step refines and organizes the earlier findings into categories and subcategories, helping me develop the core theoretical framework and direction of my thesis.

Data analysis is an iterative process. I will continually compare my findings with existing literature and theoretical frameworks to interpret what the data reveals. This is often the most challenging part of research, as it involves discovering what the evidence itself has to say.

Writing will occur alongside data analysis. As I progress, I will draw directly from participants’ quotes to illustrate the study’s findings and connect them to broader sociological discussions of grief, mourning, and supernatural experience. My thesis is being written in an article-style format with the goal of future academic publication. It will include a comprehensive literature review, detailed methodology, original findings, and an analysis of how this work contributes to the larger field of sociology.

I am collaborating closely with my advisor and thesis committee to refine and revise my work in preparation for defense, which is scheduled for early to mid-January.

Once the defense is complete, I will post the full thesis here for anyone interested in reading it. As I’ve shared with participants, you can continue to follow this page for updates on my progress.

Finally, I plan to present this research at academic conferences, beginning with the Midwest Sociological Society’s annual meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, in March 2025.

I am deeply grateful to my participants for entrusting me with their heartfelt stories. I will continue to treat each with the care, respect, and sensitivity they deserve.

-Deborah Cobb
Minnesota State University, Mankato