Week 6

Note that the purpose of this week is to help you then pick one of these theories you have explored to help you form the basis for writing the theoretical framework section of your dissertation during Week 7. It is therefore certainly worth exploring potential theories very thoroughly this week because next week you will be required to select and justify your rationale for choosing one over the others in terms of suitability and applicability.

This week, as you begin to explore some potentially relevant theoretical frameworks, you will complete a 2-part assignment.

PART 1:

To start generating ideas, read up on what might be some potentially relevant educational theories. Remember to access peer reviewed literature only, (not popular sources such as google or Wikipedia). The NCU Library is a good place to start. Use key words that will enable a thorough search. Connect with a librarian if you need assistance or support.

Keep a list of the theories you come across as you are exploring so that you can return to these later as you narrow your list. Through brainstorming exercise start to more closely narrow your list, and more closely examine 2-3 possible educational theories, make detailed notes, and then complete a chart like this, developed by Bloomberg (2023). Please check your notes carefully against this template to ensure you are identifying the most important information as required for this assignment:

THEORY NOTES

Name the theory: Definition: Here you will define the theory using appropriate citations

Description: Here you will describe the theory in sufficient detail (1-2 paragraphs) so that a reader can understand all the features of the theory and how it might be applied to particular problems or issues. Also, include any relevant details regarding how has the theory may have changed and evolved since its original development.

Application: Explain in 1-2 paragraphs:

(a) how might this theory help frame your work?

(b) How can your work potentially contribute to a deeper understanding of this theory?

References: Here provide the peer reviewed literature you accessed to review this theory (Do not include any popular sources like Google, Wikipedia, magazine articles, or correspondence.)

Theory #1

(Name the Theory)

Definition:

Description:

Application:

References:

Theory #2

(Name the Theory)

Definition:

Description:

Application:

References:

Theory #3

(Name the Theory)

Definition:

Description:

Application:

References:

PART 2:

For this second part of this week's assignment, you are required to review the theoretical framework sections in some published NCU dissertations. Go to the ProQuest search of NCU Dissertations using the link provided in the week's resources.

In the search bar, enter a few keywords that align with your research topic such as 'faculty retention' or 'adult education' or 'online teaching' and hit search. You can also try using combinations of keywords such as faculty retention in higher ed' or 'adult education in India' or 'online teaching during COVID'. On the left side of the page, limit your search to only dissertations from the current year and hit update. Select two recently published NCU dissertations that catch your eye and download these for review.

For each dissertation, be sure to address the following items. Include both of your summaries in the same Word document.

● List the title and author of the dissertation. ● Read the theoretical framework section in Chapters 1 and 3. ● Describe the theoretical framework that was selected for this

dissertation. ● Explain how the theoretical framework relates to this specific

dissertation topic.

Length: 2 pages total (1 page per summary), excluding title and reference pages

References: Include a minimum of 2 sources (at least one for each dissertation reviewed), including in-text citations and a full reference for each source.