My intention for my quantitative research
study is to apply a correlational design. This type of design allows
researchers to predict results and to understand how different variables relate
to each other (Creswell, 2013). I believe that I will be able to find strong
evidence in Blackboard records that online graduate students who participated
in class less (e.g. logged into class, navigated through interfaces, clicked on
instructional links, etc.) experienced fewer validation mechanisms (i.e. remarks
from their professor, remarks from their classmates, automated responses from
Blackboard, etc.) than those who participated in the online class at a higher
rate. The type of correlational design I intend to apply is called an
explanatory design. Often referred to as relational in nature, this type of design
is normally used when a researcher wishes to explain the relationship between
variables (2013). This is exactly what I intend to do with my research study. I
want to explain how attrition rates of online graduate students are better when
validation mechanisms are applied in online classes; and therefore could
improve retention of these students if they were applied more often and more
effectively.
Purpose Statement and Quantitative Research Questions
The purpose of this quantitative study is to determine
how validation mechanisms (e.g., like-buttons, rewarding sound effects and
graphics, cheer-leading avatars, lesson-games, students-of-the-week postings,
student comments, and instructor comments) affect online graduate students’
participation, course access, feelings of isolation, and retention rates at a
large, private, not-for-profit university in the southeastern United States. Online
graduate school programs have been significantly increasing in popularity over
the last two decades (Hayward, 2015). But student attrition rates are also very
high due to online students’ feelings of isolation (Schwier, & Seaton,
2013). Sutton (2014) wrote that drop-outs among online students were six to
seven times higher in 2009 than those among campus based students. These
feelings of isolation often cause online students to gradually reduce their
online classroom logins and participation due to declining motivation (Schwier,
& Seaton, 2013). As a result these students risk missing important
information that could affect their academic success. Declining academic
success reduces their motivation to the point where they often either drop out
of their online program or fail their online class.
Quantitative Research Questions
1) How
do validation mechanisms affect student retention in online graduate school
programs?
2) How
does the application of validation mechanisms affect student participation in
online graduate school programs?
3) How
do the application of validation mechanisms affect student course access in
online graduate school programs?
4) How
does the application of validation mechanisms affect feelings of isolation
among online graduate students?
5) How
does the application of validation mechanisms affect academic achievement among
online graduate students?
References
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Educational research:
Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research
(5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Hayward, M. S., & Williams, M. R. (2015). Adult
learner graduation rates at four U.S. community colleges by prior learning
assessment status and method. Community College
Journal of Research and Practice, 39(1), 44-54.
Schwier, R. A., & Seaton, X. J. (2013). A comparison
of participation patterns in selected formal, non-formal, and informal online
learning environments. Canadian Journal of
Learning and Technology, 39(1), 15.
Sutton, R. (2014). Unlearning the past: New foundations
for online student retention. Journal of Educators
Online, 11(3), 30.
Eric’s Website is Eric DeRise, Ed.D.(c) EDU
View Eric DeRise, Ed.D.(c) EDU’s profile
Eric DeRise, Ed.D.(c) is a Higher Education Expert in Tampa, FL. He’s also a Professor of video production and digital graphic arts. He’s an Ed.D. candidate at Nova Southeastern University, and earned his master’s degree in Higher Education with a focus in on-line college teaching from Purdue Global University. Eric says “I help people improve their lives and secure their financial future through higher education. I am also a teacher / trainer of digital media arts, television / video production, and journalism.” #DRDERISE
Ok good Eric. I agree a quantitative study is most appropriate; however, generally with correlational designs your purpose and research questions should include relationship or prediction terminology. Perhaps we should schedule a phone conference to discuss the specifics of your study.
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