Topic outline
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Approach
A case study approach was used to gather comprehensive, systematic and in-depth information. Interviews were held at all three partner sites; UniSA, RMIT and the University of Newcastle.
Purposeful sampling (Patton, 2002) was used to identify respondents who were able to contribute information-rich data. Course Coordinators both well-established and new (<2 years in the role), Program Directors and Deputy Heads of School (DHOS) or other T&L leadership position with line management responsibility was interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and were subsequently analysed independently by at least two members of the research team. Major themes and sub-themes were then developed.
The project progressed through four phases:
Phase 1: Interviewing relevant stakeholders (Phase 1 : Completed)
[i] Gain ethical clearances from UniSA, RMIT and Newcastle’s ethics committees and permission to interview staff will be sought from each institution in line with the relevant evaluation policy, [ii] Identify, recruit and interview staff.[iii] Transcribe interviews and de-identify transcripts and all other data.
Status
- Ethics at all universities approved
- Interviews completed
- Interviews transcribed
In total 8 individual interviews and 9 focus groups were conducted with 11 new course coordinators and 10 experienced course coordinators, 6 program directors and 5 head of schools and 1 Dean.
Phase 2: Meaning Making & Synthesis (Phase 2: Completed)
[i] Thematically analyse data and triangulate the main themes from each level of the vertical slice; Confirm analysis and meaning-making with participants and modify as needed.
Status: Participants have confirmed the accuracy of the interviews. Data analysed and main themes triangulated. Meaning-making confirmed with participants and others through workshops held at each university.
Phase 3: Create tool (Phase 3: ongoing refinement Version 2.4)
[i] Create the tool and associated resources. Trial the tool in the first half of 2015 and incorporate feedback. Identify existing University processes and resources to support the implementation of the tool. It is not possible in the timeframe of a seed project to be fully implemented.
Status: Timing has had to be altered to fit in line with the grant. Workshops held at each campus have trialled the tool and work continues refining the tool. University processes that potentially could support the tool have been identified in terms of the universities involved in the study. There is significant diversity in the universities and much more work is needed in this area and is now beyond the scope of this study. A set of principles has been suggested as a guide to implementation.
Phase 4: Dissemination and finalise grant requirements (Phase 4: Ongoing)
[i] Tool and resources are finalised, Dissemination through workshops and community events at UniSA, RMIT and Newcastle[ii] Conference papers and journal articles planned and submitted where time, [iii] Final report to OLT, [iv] Develop application for full innovation and development grant for OLT.
Status:
- Workshops: UniSA, RMIT and University of Newcastle: Completed
- Conferences: HERDSA: Accepted; ISSOTL: Submitted and waiting
- Journal article: Under construction
- Innovation and Development grant: Under construction
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