Exploiting Rapid Change in Technology

Enhanced Learning

… for Post Graduate Education

Conceptual vs Theoretical Frameworks

You can't build a great building on a weak foundation. You must have a solid foundation if you're going to have a strong superstructure.

Gordon B. Hinckley

AGENDA

1. What are they? 1.Define/compare/contrast

2. How to work with the conceptual

1.Purpose

2.Use

3.About theoretical side of things1.Purpose to your reader2. Use3. Examples

4.Looking forward to 2017 next week and beyond

• Foundational – solid• Purpose is to

understand/explain relationships between concepts/ bins

Back and Forth relationship between these two – first one then the other and back

THEORETICAL vs. CONCEPTUAL• Fluid – ideas shift with time• Sorts ideas into “bins” so we can

work with them• Topical – about your problem/idea• May be include theories,

observations, ideas about…

“Comprised of 3 elements…1. Personal interest, 2. Topical research, and 3. Theoretical frameworks”

Ravitch, S. M., & Riggan, M. (2012). Reason & rigor : how conceptual frameworks guide research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications

Purpose of Conceptual FramesEXPECT THEM TO CHANGE YOUR UNDERSTANDING GROWS – YOU ARE CONSTRUCTING IT

The ideas of your study and how you put them together

Specific to your study

1. **** An argument about the significance of study***

2. Ties to interest to literature to theory together

3. Argues for the appropriateness of your research

1. Helps to point out gaps in literature

4. Allows you to survey the range of methodological

choices / argues for your rigor

5. Appropriate to answer what questions

The changes they go through make them more precise – fewer words to tell the reader more.

Uses of Conceptual FramesEXPECT THEM TO CHANGE YOUR UNDERSTANDING GROWS

During development…

Idea development.

Building your case

Giving you if/then talking points

Extending the argument

Presenting

Explaining

Contextualizing …

Your findings

Purpose of Theoretical

Foundational1. Lays your study on the platform of others ideas2. Not yours – theirs3. Do you have many? If so then not one theory – conceptual not

theoretical

Theoretical Frameworks are…• Multi – layered and complex.• Evolving with people and across time• Appropriate to answer the why and the how questions

Uses of Theoretical

“Theories tell us:”

• Where to look for more evidence

• Description of the forms the subject may take

• Offers explanation as to why a particular form occurs.

Used to answer: Why things work the way they do in ways that are:

• Testable

• Measurable

Because it is measurable you can develop methodology from it.

Van Maanen, J., & Schein, E. H. (1978). Toward a Theory of Organizational Socialization: Massachusetts Institute

How Award Winners Used Theory

Overview on Use of Theory in PhD/doctoral research

1. Quantitative is based on empiricism = everything can be measured.

2. In Quantitative work: “an interrelated set of constructs (variables) formed into propositions.

3. An argument , a discussion or a rationale or figure.” (Creswell, 2014, pg 54) as in “the higher the rank the greater the centrality.”

4. In Qualitative – based on theory that our lived experience: 1. A broad explanation for behavior or attitudes.2. An overarching lens through which to look at the

relationships under study. – ie feminist, critical race, etc.

5. In education – to explain premises for methodology, i.econstructivism

6. In social sciences – guides the study, or (as in grounded theory) as an outcome as well.

7. To establish an ethical stance, as in critical theories.

Paige, R. D. (2007). The relationship between self-directed informal learning and the career development process of technology users. (EdD), Walden University, USA.

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................

Introduction.

The Rise of a Constructivist Perspective

The Social Cognitive Perspective

Social Cognitive Career Theory.

Social Cognitive Theory and Career-Related Learning

The Social Practice Perspective

A Contextualist Action Theory of Career

Social Practice Theory and Career-Related Learning

The Narrative Perspective: Social Cognition in Practice

Theory Integration through Character

Theory Integration through Setting.

Theory Integration through Plot

Theory Integration through Story

The Narrative Perspective and Career-Related

Than N. Lam. (2007). STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING BUSINESS-IT FUSION TO MEET ORGANIZATIONAL DEMANDS: A CASE STUDY (Dr of Business Administration), University of Phoenix, Arizona.

Theory first mentioned in Chapter 2 Agency, Stakeholder and Ethical theories, presented after management practices as a foundation for modern management practices.1. Agency theory = managers are responsible for maximizing profits2. Stakeholder theory = orgs must make positive contributions to

society3. Theory Z= focus on increasing employee loyalty

Theoretically triangulated ideas about management in order to overcome deficits caused by single reseacher, single method, single theory, … etc.

Mixed methods – survey and open ended questions with programs, process and IT stakeholders

Results and Findings discuss outcomes in terms of maximising profits, Contribution to society and employee loyalty

DN Exercise – What would yours be?

If designed and executed properly, technology aids for graduate students will demonstrate: 1) economy of scale for universities and 2) long term results for retention/graduation.

Then for universities we take many of the small/hard to keep up with it all burdens away – equalizing socialization across part time/fulltime/working/online/on campus/international/NNES/and the racial divide

CONCEPTUAL BASE:Purpose is to argue for significance

Gardner (2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 etc)

Five issues with graduate socialization:1. Ambiguity in structures2. Work/life balance3. Becoming independent as researcher4. Developing all the skills needed5. Finding the support needed/when

needed/how needed

THEORETICAL BASE: SOCIALIZATIONPurpose is to understand relationships between….

If each is significant and can hit at any time then no university can adequately be there for each of these when needed

If designed and executed properly, the ubiquitous nature of technology aids for students will demonstrate: 2) long term results for retention/graduation.

Then – tools set up for each of the five areas in the theoretical framework will engage the students that need them and those students will choose to stay rather than go:

Therefore – MastersNet and DoctoralNet subscriptions help masters and doctoral students…be more efficient, feel better about their studies and have more grit.

CONCEPTUAL BASE:Purpose is to argue for significance

Looking Forward to 2017

What’s Up at DoctoralNet?

1. Webinar next week – start your planning early for fast start on 2017

2. Webinars 2017 – often paired subject – week to work on it –

review/discussion

3. Fridays – twice a month book abstracts

4. For those not lucky enough to have university subscription – pricing

appropriate to your currency – just ask alana@doctoralnet.com