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he study. It should also be noted that due to the small scale of the study there are clear limitations on the scope of the findings.

It was important in this study to acknowledge the potential for coercion of participants (real or perceived), as the participants were acquaintances. Realizing this, measures were taken to limit and remove the possibility of participants feeling obliged to take the questionnaire or do anything they were not comfortable with. First, the participants were informed that participation in this study was optional and anonymous. The individuals who completed or didn't complete the survey could not be tracked in any way. The questions were designed to gather information only necessary to the study. Second, it was made clear that the participants did not have to answer any questions they did not feel comfortable answering. The program used to collect the responses allowed participants to skip any question they wanted to in the study. Third, the questionnaire was short and simple to complete to ensure participants did not have to take much time or effort out of their day. The questionnaire was also taken online so it could be done in the privacy of their homes at their leisure. As well, the participants were also informed of the nature of the study and the uses of the data gathered. The participants were all over 18 years of age and therefore able to consent to the questionnaire on their own behalf.

Attempts were made to limit threats to reliability within the study. However, it is possible that some data collected could be skewed. It must be addressed that for the questionnaire convenience sampling was used. Without a budget it was found that the only feasible way to gather a sufficient amount of data would be to sample acquaintances of the author. As well, the questionnaire was taken by a limited population. The amount of respondents was relatively small. Moreover, the individuals who took the questionnaire are all in their early 20s. As a result of these three factors there are limitations on the types of larger connections that can be drawn from the study. This study offers insight into the experiences of these individuals but caution should be taken before generalizing theories to the larger population of individuals in the teaching profession.

Discussion of Findings

This chapter reflects the findings of this investigation as it relates to desires of new teachers regarding employment in northern Ontario. After completion of the questionnaire and data analysis, relevant themes regarding teachers' thoughts about teaching in northern Ontario became apparent. Some themes supported the conclusions drawn from the literature, while others appeared to contradict it. In the following section the major themes made visible through the analysis of the questionnaires will be explored in relation to obtaining and retaining teachers.

Obtaining teachers

The first questionnaire focusing mainly on individuals from southern Ontario found some interesting results regarding their thoughts on teaching in northern Ontario. Many teachers, despite the current teaching conditions, do not desire to teach in northern Ontario. Graph 1.1 demonstrates the majority of individuals surveyed have not and do not plan to teach in northern Ontario. This is what was expected and is consistent with the literature on rural school