2.1 Research Questions
The naturalistic inquiry paradigm was chosen as a framework for this research,
and guided the selection of an emphasis on qualitative methods. A tentative set
of preliminary research questions were formulated to address the research problem
and guide the researchers activities, rather than a traditional set of research
hypotheses like those used in quantitative research. The questions were formed
by examining the key themes that were identified in past courseware production
efforts during the literature review.
- General Question
- What were the relationships between the educational, technical,
and organizational contexts of courseware?
- Educational Questions
- What were the educational goals of the courseware?
- Did the goals focus more upon discipline oriented outcomes,
or upon broader outcomes for the learners?
- Technical Questions
- What educational considerations influenced technical decisions about courseware?
- What were pragmatic technical issues that emerged during courseware projects?
- What were key technical characteristics that determined the viability of courseware?
- Organizational Questions
- What were the relationships between the roles, tasks, and the timing of tasks?
- What were implicit or explicit educational, technical, financial,
and personnel support policies within the organization(s) which had an impact on courseware projects?