Surveying Radiography Faculty to Examine Age, Tenure, Gender, and Resistance to Chang

Certificate-based radiography programs have faced changes mandated by their accrediting agencies; faculty members have demonstrated resistance to the requirements. This research study evaluated the problem of potential effects of age, tenure, and gender (independent variables) on resistance to change (dependent variable) among faculty members in a radiography program. The purpose of this study was to determine if group mean differences in resistance to change existed. The theoretical framework was cognitive dissonance and mental model theories. Methodology consisted of a nonexperimental design that included an electronic survey of faculty members of a radiography certificate program through a convenience sampling. Descriptive statistics were conducted on demographic data. Data were analyzed by employing a 3-way factorial ANOVA statistical test, with alpha = .05. Participants were 29 radiography faculty who completed the Resistance to Change Scale through an electronic survey. The results of the 3-way ANOVA identified no statistical main effect for age, tenure, or gender. The interaction effects could not be completed due to the small number of faculty who decided to participate. The implications for positive social change include knowledge for faculty, radiography programs, educational institutions, and the healthcare community looking for ways to reduce resistance to change among faculty of certificate-based radiography programs. Additional implications include the knowledge for educational institutions and program leaders in training and leadership practices to increase employee retention and program longevity.