Apologies for cross posting: Seeking web-based participants for a 8-10 minutes survey for a Dissertation.
You are invited to participate in a research study investigating the correlation between rigor and relevance with different teaching methods in American business schools. The information collected from this study will be used as part of a dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy.
You will be asked to remember an undergraduate introductory business course you have taught (the latest) and base your responses on such a course. Please know that some business schools name such a course Introduction to Business, Organizational Behavior, or any number of titles. The important thing to remember is that it should have been an introductory course.
Background Information
There are two distinct debates ensuing in the literature: (1) the rigor-relevance debate and (2) the andragogy versus pedagogy debate. As used within this survey, rigor means theoretical or research-based education while relevance means the practical social or business applicability of course content and based on experiences. Likewise, pedagogy refers specifically to children and assumptions for teaching children while andragogy focuses on the adult learner and assumptions for teaching adults. The linking of these variables in management education has not been made clear. Understanding how each content-methodology combination affect learning outcomes in American management schools may lead to the creation of a model to follow in society's efforts to adequately prepare individuals to undertake managerial roles.
The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is a correlation between relevance focused courses and rigor focused courses with pedagogical instructional methods or andragogical instructional methods in management schools, and how it affects students learning behavior and final course grades.
Procedures
If you agree to participate in this study, you will complete a survey that asks you to indicate your preference in teaching methodology and course content, as well as provide some background information. It is anticipated that the survey will take approximately 8 to 10 minutes to complete.
Risks and Benefits of Being in the Study
The primary risk associated with this study is that you may feel uncomfortable answering some of the questions about your activities in the classroom and learning habits. Specifically, the survey will ask about different kinds of behaviors, including data conducting to gain a better understanding of whether a particular teaching methodology and course content influence academic performance of business students. Information regarding course final grades will also be collected.
This study could help businesses provide a consistent set of products and services taking as their basis lessons learned in management schools. That means that management courses could consistently provide the same percentage of theory and applicability with the right methodology appropriate for adult learners. Businesses hiring new management graduates will be certain of the education received regardless of which management school they graduated from.
Anonymity
You are assured that all information you provide for this study will be completely anonymous. No published information describing the results of this study will include information that makes it possible to identify any individual participant. Electronic survey data will be stored on a secure server to which only the researcher has access.
Voluntary Nature of the Study
Participation in this study is voluntary. You may skip any question or withdraw at any time. However, we hope that you will answer all the questions honestly, providing the most reliable and accurate information. As indicated herein, all of the information you provide is completely anonymous.
Contacts and Questions
If you have questions prior to starting the study, feel free to contact the principal researchers at alroldan911@hotmail.com (787-525-7765).
To start the survey:
Instructions
On the following screens you will find background questions and various categories of teaching/learning behaviors. The background section will be utilized for statistics purposes only and not meant to attempt to identify any participant. In the other sections, and using the scale provided, please indicate the most appropriate behavior which you have personally engaged while teaching an introductory business course. For each question, please mark only one response unless otherwise specified.
You may notice some unfamiliar terms in this survey. For your convenience, definitions for some of these terms have been provided at the bottom of the question.
Kindest Regards,
Alberto Roldán López, MBA, Ph.D. Candidate
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