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Dissertation Reflection

1) a link to the dissertation you chose
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/26827

2) explain the problem in 2-3 sentences
Looking at technology adoption in a developing country like Malawi. Were new technologies (i.e. computers and internet) being given to teachers to increase productive instruction being used for instruction and learning?

3) list their research questions

  1. What is the present level of accessibility computers, the Internet and the world wide web?
  2. To what extent have faculty members adopted ICT innovation?
  3. How are faculty members utilizing ICT after its diffusion in a higher education institution in Malawi?
  4. What factors facilitated the present adoption level?
  5. What factors inhibit adoption of technology by the faculty members?
  6. How has technology diffusion affected teaching and learning?
  7. How has access to technology affected the faculty members’ perception on technology for teaching and learning?

4) explain in 3-5 sentences why you think they selected the methodology they chose to answer those questions.

The author chose to use mixed-methods to gather information through a survey then follow up using interviews. The author first used the survey because of its flexibility and inexpensive cost to gather large amounts of data from a large group. The interview was then used to expand on and better understand the information gathered via the survey. The author also mentioned that they chose follow-up interviews as a means for triangulations to further improve the validity of the findings.

5)Answer the question posed on page 106 of your text ” What is the relationship of the conceptual framework to one’s data collection methods specifically?” Your answer can be “in general” or specific to your topic. 

The conceptual framework is the argument for the rationale of one’s research. The method and structure for how one constructs the research will have a major impact on how well supported your argument will be for the research. If the researcher chooses a methodology that is new or has weak support in the discipline, then their conceptual framework will be looked at as having a weak foundation. The opposite is also true, if you choose a robust, well-supported methodology, your findings will be seen to be on a firmer foundation.