Integrating Decision Based Learning into Research Methods Instructional Webinars: A Program Evaluation

Abstract

The Research Methodology Special Interest Group at the University of Phoenix was created to help train doctoral faculty and students on the use of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods designs. For many faculty the webinar trainings act as professional development, and for students it helps them ground their doctoral studies in the theory and application of a particular method. Now in its second year, the SIG incorporated Decision Based Learning (DBL) theory and software as a way to structure the webinar trainings. DBL postulates that experts in a field have decision points they work through when making a decision, with each decision affecting the next. Often that decision process remains covert for students, with students focused instead on learning theory and content. By using DBL those decision points become overt, thus helping students move beyond theory into practical application. A select group of the Research Methodology SIG webinar leaders have applied DBL theory and integration of a unique software package into our research methods webinars to facilitate teaching of research methods. This presentation addresses the program evaluation results after an 8-month use of DBL in the Research Methodology SIG. The program evaluation itself included field notes and summative evaluation by the co-leaders of the SIG, surveys completed by each of the webinar leaders who used the DBL theory and software, and a focus group of the webinar leaders wherein they discussed the benefits and challenges of using DBL in this unique online, webinar based instructional setting