Table 1.

Coding Criteria and Sample Statements.

Coding	Criterion	Paraphrased Sample Statement
1	Complete agreement with Michael’s comment	I completely agree. Factors like sex and race should never play a role in the hiring process. If there are more qualified male applicants in the industry, then that’s just the way things are.
2	Moderate (qualified) agreement with Michael’s comment	I understand where you are coming from, even though I’m a woman myself. However, there is not much you can do about the situation until a supervisor notices that the women aren’t performing well. That said, maybe you shouldn’t judge all women as unqualified. Try to view them on a case-by-case basis – Perhaps some of them are actually good workers!
3	Slight (qualified) agreement with Michael’s comment	I don’t think we should hire people on the basis of filling quotas, but it does happen. I would imagine that, if someone were really unqualified, they would have to be fired or demoted to a position they could handle. My only advice is to try to be as tolerant and open-minded as possible. If you continue to notice problems, then talk to the higher management.
4	Neutral or irrelevant response to Michael’s comment	Diversity in the workplace is a good thing, but only if employees have the proper experience and training to handle their positions. Maybe your company could start an apprentice program geared towards less qualified applicants? They would probably perform better and have more confidence with some additional training.
5	Slight (qualified) disagreement with Michael’s comment	What makes you think these women aren’t qualified? Could they perhaps just be approaching issues differently than you do? If they are getting hired without the right education that is a problem. But if they have the qualifications, their different approaches to issues can be valuable in the long run.
6	Moderate (qualified) disagreement with Michael’s comment	I’m sad that you feel that way. You need to take things on a case-by-case basis and give these women a chance. They are not all the same, and some might even out-perform you. Don’t be so judgmental!
7	Complete disagreement with Michael’s comment	It sounds like you are a sexist person. Maybe you should just focus on their skills instead of their gender. I’m sure some of your male co-workers are incompetent too.