I am a novice researcher working on my PhD proposal.
My dissertation is titled: A Grounded Theory Study of the Undergraduate Students’ Online Learning Experiences in English Composition Courses. In my dissertation, I am working to create a grounded theory regarding the perspectives of undergraduate students about their learning environments in online English composition classes.
Before I can go forward and submit to the IRB, I will need to have area experts assess my interview questions. This is called field testing and it is an important element in the research interview process. The field test will assist me in determining if there are flaws, limitations, or other weaknesses within the interview design and will also allow me to make necessary revisions prior to the implication of the study. This field test will also asset me with the refinement of the research questions.
So far, I have had no luck gathering participants. I have one willing, but need more. I have looked in my own institution and reached out to others, but no luck.
Are there better ways to find participants?
I would suggest finding people who are subject matter experts or researchers in that field. A good way to find potential persons is contact authors of significant studies you may be using in your research. The easiest is probably to start with individuals at your university, but you will obviously have to get some participants from elsewhere. Snowball sampling, as previously mentioned, is a good way to go too! Good luck!
Mary,
Thank you. The methods I tried was directly contacting people at my university. Nothing came of that. I got lucky with a colleague from another institution and she jumped aboard. She told me about the GWPA-L listserve and I am trying that now. I've also posted to my universities social site forums in hopes of soliciting. I was just wondering if there are other methods of solicitation that can yield me more results.
Thank you,
Natalya
Thank you, everyone for your suggestions. I will keep these in mind as I move forward. As a new researcher, I am always willing to listen to any suggestions about my journey.
~Natalya
As your ultimate goal is tu interview students in online composition courses, you will have to find such courses and consult the teachers. To this end you may have to formulate a more specific question. Another decision you have to make is whether to study students with native English or students learning composition in English as a second language. The interview questions may be quite different
I recommend that you contact the authors that you have been studying regarding the theoretical framework and methodological framework and design. It is possible that they can help you or give you the contact of someone who can. You can also explore education associations in your country or even international.
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