Introduction
In the opening part of the dissertation, student successfully manages to present succinct and pertinent information about the main reasons for the research, as well as why this study can have practical implications (Mathus, 2011). However, the shortcoming of introduction lies in summarizing chapters instead of considering the actual scope and purpose of the research.
Background
While presenting the background information for the research, the student provides a sufficient explanation for the value of mobile devices, such as Blackboard Learn. Specific attention is given to examining its advantages over other mobile applications that can be used in a learning process.
Statement of the problem
Although the study involves a quantitative design, the author of dissertation tries to understand how students perceive the benefits of introducing smartphone application in a learning process. This inconsistency prevents from realizing how this problem will be researched. Other than that corresponds to detailed representation of data that highlights the major problems, as well as variables involved into the research.
Statement of the purpose
The central controlling idea of the research study managers to render the scope of the research and provides a sufficient explanation of the nature of the study. It is represented in one elaborated sentence. The purpose sets the objectives, defines the methods and research design, and covers participants’ major intent.
Research statistics
The main pitfall of the study consists in presenting only descriptive statistics, which prevents from developing accurate results. Nevertheless, this type of numerical data representation develops an extensive theoretical framework for answering the research questions.
Research questions
Research questions are interrelated with the intent of the study to examine how students’ perceptions correlate with their intention to use Blackboard Mobile Learn. The proposed questions correspond to the research hypotheses that are premised on examining the linear relationship between students’ intent to use the device as a dependent variable and its perception as the independent variable.
Significance of the topic
The scholar proposes to define the theoretical framework and the nature of the study. In addition, the introductory part explains the rationale for and significance of the proposed research. In addition, the student also provides a detailed evaluation of possible gaps and lapses in future researches.
Key definitions
The section explains the definitions that relate to different types of mobile devices and online technologies. The second group of terms refers to the level of students’ perceptions to use those mobile devices. However, there are definitions, such as e-learning, which do not directly focus on the intent and purpose of the study.
Key assumptions
Student has succeeded in explaining the accuracy and truthfulness of responses provided by the participants. The research also excludes the responses that have failed to meet the requirements. Due to the fact that most of the students participate in online research, the choice of students is also confined to those who use web-based space for learning.
Limitations
The limitations mentioned by students rationally explain possible challenges for the research to be valid and reliable. Nevertheless, there are many other restrictions that could hamper the research process. In particular, the student could have mentioned the types of establishments participating in the study because it could have influenced the results. Despite the limitations, the author manages to persuade the readers that the research is of high relevance.
Restatement of Research Questions
The introductory part of the Methodology section only briefly restates the purpose of study, but fails to mention the research questions and major hypotheses (Mathus, 2011). Instead, the opening paragraph develops the summary of the procedures that will be discussed in this chapter.
Description of the Research Methodology
The description of research design starts with restatement of the type of quantitative study, as well as the main purpose of the research. Second, student does not refer directly to the description of the methods that will be used in the research. Instead, the scholar focuses other researches discussing similar methodological designs.
Process of Selection of Data Sources
Before selecting methods for research, the students focused on reviewing related studies to define which design is the most appropriate. As soon as literature has been examined, the researcher has managed to explain why a cross-sectional survey design should be selected for this dissertation.
Definition of Analysis Unit
In the section, the research paid attention to explaining the materials and instrumentation that should be used to obtain statistical data. Although there are great number of resources and instruments for conducting research, the data analysis relies on electronic questionnaire to collect quantitative data about participants and their intentions to use the Black Mobile Learn application.
Validity and Reliability of Data Gathering Instrument
Detailed overview of related scholars and enumeration of electronic data collection techniques, including SelectSurvey.NET, SPPSS, and other devices has been presented.
Data Gathering Procedure
Introducing inferential and descriptive statistics was aimed at delivering techniques for digital data gathering. The author of the dissertation provides detailed analysis of all gathering procedures.
Plans for IRB and Summary
The summary covers the basic points of methodology, but there is no mentioning about the IRB and their intentions.
Research Tools
In the dissertation, the scholar combines methodology and data analysis section into one chapter and, therefore, chapter 4 is dedicated to results and research tools used for the research. Nevertheless, data collection section is still represented along with descriptive statistic results, and regression analysis.
Pilot Study
Instead of introducing research questions and hypotheses, student introduces the analysis of research tools and pilot studies. The latter defines numerical data based on the results from electronic questionnaire. In whole, the scholar failed to follow the structure of a quantitative dissertation because data collection procedures have been considered in various chapters.
Date Collection
In whole, the scholar failed to follow the structure of a quantitative dissertation because data collection procedures have been considered in various chapters. Therefore, all information about the collection process should be represented in one section.
Descriptive Statistics
The section presents objective information about participants, as well as methods used to process numerical data. The student has included data about age, demographics, and disciplines in which learners are involved to define the relationships. However, no connection has been made with the research hypothesis.
Reliability of the Scales
The researcher discusses the connection between independent and dependent variables to prove the reliability of the sales chosen for data analysis. Therefore, this section could be approved. Population analysis and statistics, along with population mean analysis has been presented. The section focuses on quantitative data evaluation, which corresponds to the initial hypothesis. Each statistic finding has been analyzed from the viewpoint of the initial research questions.
Discussion of the Study
Discussion restates the research questions and defines relevance of statistics to the findings of the studies. At this point, discussion section should not have provided analysis and review of research questions. Rather, the focus should have been made on the actual interpretation of results.
Interpretation of Findings
Enumeration of research tools and design is inappropriate for this action. Instead, student should have discussed the implications and meaning of the obtained results either to approve to reject the research hypothesis. Reliance on theories is also irrelevant because previous discussions have already highlighted the theoretical frameworks.
Implications
The author focuses on practical applications of the research findings and accurately outlines various fields of future scientific explorations in the field. This is of particular concern to such aspects as social change. In addition, the research is beneficial for other scholars to develop new paradigms in learning.
Recommendations for Action
Due to a bulk of practical implications, the research can also be used for developing helpful recommendations for school instructors and administration. The dissertation, therefore, suggests a new specialized field in research that does not only refers to the role of technology in education, but also highlights students’ perception in constant advancement.
Recommendations for Further Study
The student provides reliable guidelines for the target audience to use the empirical findings for enhancing the learning environment. Therefore, in total, the dissertation has great significance for further scientific explorations in the field.
Summary
The summary succinctly reproduces the content of the chapter so that the reader could easily define the most important aspects of the studies.
Reference
Mathus, R. (2011).Students’ Perception of a Mobile Application for College Course. (Dissertation: University of Phoenix, USA). 168.