IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/igg/jopcd0/v6y2016i4p53-70.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Post-Positivist Framework for Using and Building Theory in Online Instructional Design

Author

Listed:
  • Bucky J. Dodd

    (University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK, USA)

  • Charles E. Baukal Jr.

    (University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA)

  • Lynna J. Ausburn

    (College of Education, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA)

Abstract

Theories are critical components of research and are widely used tools among online course development researchers and practitioners. However, enhanced knowledge about how theories are developed and change over time is a strategic need in the field of online education design and delivery. This article examines a set of theory analysis and development tools, focusing particularly on post-positivist frameworks and perspectives. Building from prior work in theory development, this paper makes several novel contributions to enhancing understanding of theory development processes and their use in online teaching and course design. Two unique theory analysis and development tools are proposed. The theory development diagnostic matrix is proposed as a tool for evaluating essential characteristics of theories and how theories may be appropriately used. The Theory-Innovation Cycle is introduced as a model for explaining how theories are created, developed, and changed over time and the influence these processes have on theory use in online education research and practice. Implications and recommendations for using these tools are also presented and discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Bucky J. Dodd & Charles E. Baukal Jr. & Lynna J. Ausburn, 2016. "A Post-Positivist Framework for Using and Building Theory in Online Instructional Design," International Journal of Online Pedagogy and Course Design (IJOPCD), IGI Global, vol. 6(4), pages 53-70, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:igg:jopcd0:v:6:y:2016:i:4:p:53-70
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://services.igi-global.com/resolvedoi/resolve.aspx?doi=10.4018/IJOPCD.2016100104
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:igg:jopcd0:v:6:y:2016:i:4:p:53-70. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Journal Editor (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.igi-global.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.