We had a great couple of classes for EDCI 569 on theoretical frameworks and an orientation to open education. Below are some of the resources provided during the class (shown or shared links) as well as some of the to-do- tasks:
Theoretical Frameworks:
In developing the start to your research plan assignment, you must identify your topic/problem/purpose/question. See the example from a research methods textbook by Creswell (we have several of his textbooks in the library with different publication years. The most recent one is below if you are interested, though this is not required.
Educational research : planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research
Creswell, John W., author.; John W. Creswell, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 2015
Chapter 1 of your MEd project will be on an introduction to your topic, the problem, the purpose of your research, and how well a question gets shaped depends on the project as I find some stop at the purpose level.
TASK: Complete your topic, problem, purpose, and question for your research paper for this course (and it can ladder into your MEd project as well). The sooner you complete this, the better for you to proceed
TASK: Create your MEd project document and follow the format used in the UVic Repository of the examples you have seen. Ideally, compare and contrast the tables of contents for a few of them.
Chapter 2 of your MEd project will be on the theoretical framework and the literature review. I expect this process was covered in EDCI 515 and other previous course. I am happy to provide support as well as each of you build out your plan in our 1-1 meets. The theoretical framework can be the framework, theory, or model you use to shape how you approach the topic and problem you are exploring.
TASK: Explore the list of theoretical frameworks used in prior MEd projects and chose 1 or 2 to start off your chapter 2, where you provide an overview of it. As always, I recommend looking at examples of completed projects I have supervised. You can see a list of Valerie’s graduate student alumni projects (including some MA and PhD). In our class, we worked in groups to review some of the theoretical frameworks used in the past MEd projects. There are a variety of shapes these can take and there is no right or wrong answer for your project. I’m sharing some short resources you could explore in finding a theory that works for you.
- Literature Reviews, Theoretical Frameworks, and Conceptual Frameworks: An Introduction for New Biology Education Researchers (see Table 1)
- Theories, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, models and constructs: Limiting research outcomes through misconceptions and misunderstandings, where the author shares a breakdown – any are fine for you to guide your project. I would recommend limiting to the use of 1 or 2, although each case is different.
- a model holds for a given case or stated population, arising from context-specific research, often indicating main features of influence or contribution;
- a conceptual framework tends to be more flexible and descriptive, as it usually identifies factors or criteria that have influence on a particular field within the more major features, which might be, for example, social learning, discovery learning, or experiential learning;
- a theoretical framework arises from outcomes beyond a single study, based on one or more theories, which might be, for example, social constructivism, constructionism, or behaviourism; while
- a theory considers a broader and deeper concern or context, suggesting the detail of what might be more general, beyond one or a number of contexts.
As for where to look for a theory… that is extremely expansive… There are hundreds of them. It also depends on your individual lens as the researcher. I will paste a few links below and will add to this list as I come across more. These are quick finds, so not read though. I encourage you to explore within your own reading of the literature in your search to see what theories are being used in the studies you explore.
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