I am conducting exploratory research about the NCAA NIL rule because there is little information on the impact that rule has on smaller D1 programs. I propose using interviews as my method to collect and analyze data in relation to the NIL interim rule. As a researcher, I want to provide participants, student athletes at UR, with a freedom to respond rather than being forced to select from a set of predetermined answers that would be provided in a Likert Scale or survey. I want an atmosphere where they are enabled to express their opinions about the new NIL rule. This approach may mean adopting a less structured approach to the interviews I plan on conducting to obtain qualitative research on the topic. By conducting semi-structured interviews focusing on the pros and cons UR athletes face concerning the NCAA NIL rules, I will gain insight into my research questions: How can student athletes at UR take advantage of the NIL rule? And what implications does it have for other smaller D1 programs around the country? While the interviews will be consistent with the questions and the order they are asked, the researcher will have the ability to probe questions to get a better understanding. When conducting the interviews, they will be recorded in order to aid in data analysis. The digital voice recordings will be transcribed and categorized by similarities and differences in question responses.
This is an excellent list of methods, and it seems clear to me that they match your methodology and your research question. However, I wonder if your target sample may be need to be revised. Will student athletes at smaller D1 programs like UR (or at UR alone) have the insight needed to address “How can students at UR take advantage of the NIL rule”? Doe you need the voice of marketing experts and agents to address the question more thoroughly? It seems to me that interviewing UR student athletes will give you a sense of the gap that exists between the NIL rule and their understanding of how to take advantage of the rule for their own purposes, but not as clear a sense of specific actions they may need to take to do so. So I wonder if you need to combine the survey of a small number of student athletes with research or interviews with marketers and agents who can respond to the gaps that your interview participants reveal.