Education Commons^™

Policymakers' Perceptions On The Application Of Research Evidence In The Policymaking Process Within West Virginia's Higher Education System, Christopher Treadway

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this descriptive, mixed-method study was to explore the role that research evidence plays in policy-related decision-making within West Virginia’s higher education system, policymakers’ perceptions on the reliability and usefulness of various sources of information, and their insights related to factors that facilitate and/or impede the use of research evidence. Using data obtained through an internet-based questionnaire administered to more than 100 higher education policymakers, the study resulted in several notable findings, many of which reinforced similar findings uncovered in the review of the literature.

Most researchers agree that the results of high-quality research can be a tremendous …

Methodological Orientation Of Research Articles Appearing In Higher Education Journals, Sherri E. Ritter

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to understand the methodologies authors in higher education journals used to obtain knowledge in their fields. This study looked at five peer-reviewed journals of higher education and analyzed the methods of research employed by the authors to help them answer their respective research questions. The methods of research are qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods. Additionally, this study examined the effects of author, gender, and academic rank on the selection of research methods.

Tools And Community : How Women Become Researchers In Communication Sciences And Disorders, Karen L. Mccomas

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) is a female-dominated discipline in danger of losing its professional autonomy. In 2002, the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) reported that 6-7% of all faculty positions in CSD were vacant, predicted a substantial increase in vacancies through 2012, and declared the issue of faculty preparation as the "most significant threat to our [CSD] future" (p. 5). In 2008, ASHA reported that, although more people were receiving Ph.D. degrees, only half accepted positions in higher education. The purpose of this study was to extend understanding of the problem of too few researchers in CSD by increasing …

A Study Of West Virginia P-12 Teachers' Use Of The Internet As A Professional And Instructional Tool, Sandra Lee Orr

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examines West Virginia P-12 teachers’ use of the Internet as a professional and instructional tool. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to gather descriptive data. Based on an extensive review of the literature, the researcher developed survey included 30 questions on the use of the Internet by teachers as a professional tool and by their students as an instructional tool. Two hundred forty-two West Virginia P-12 public school teachers participated in the study with fourteen participating in interviews. Interviews provided anecdotal information of teachers’ experiences in finding, creating, and using the Internet for professional and instructional activities. Findings …