scholarly journals A qualitative research on motivational orientations of adult learners

2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-326
Author(s):  
TEZCAN Fatma; DUMAN
2015 ◽  
pp. 41-66
Author(s):  
Catherine A. Hansman

Qualitative research methods courses have become common or required in most doctoral and some master's degree graduate programs' curricula. However, although many graduate students enter their programs with some knowledge of quantitative methodology, they have little to no understanding of qualitative research methodologies. There are many challenges associated with teaching qualitative research in a context that promotes and embraces numerically based forms of knowledge and marginalizes other types of research. In addition, although most learners in qualitative research classes are adult learners, adult learning theories and teaching strategies may not be a preferred approach by qualitative instructors. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the challenges faced by faculty members who plan and teach qualitative research courses, using the literature to highlight current qualitative research pedagogy while discussing new strategies and models that may assist developing graduate students as qualitative researchers in their graduate programs and their future careers.


Author(s):  
Catherine A. Hansman

Qualitative research methods courses have become common or required in most doctoral and some master's degree graduate programs' curricula. However, although many graduate students enter their programs with some knowledge of quantitative methodology, they have little to no understanding of qualitative research methodologies. There are many challenges associated with teaching qualitative research in a context that promotes and embraces numerically based forms of knowledge and marginalizes other types of research. In addition, although most learners in qualitative research classes are adult learners, adult learning theories and teaching strategies may not be a preferred approach by qualitative instructors. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the challenges faced by faculty members who plan and teach qualitative research courses, using the literature to highlight current qualitative research pedagogy while discussing new strategies and models that may assist developing graduate students as qualitative researchers in their graduate programs and their future careers.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-60
Author(s):  
Concha Furnborough ◽  
James A. Coleman

Abstract This paper examines the reasons for study of adult beginner distance learners of Spanish and the relationships between those reasons and motivation maintenance. A survey of 563 Open University UK students found motivational orientations distinct from those of young people in earlier studies. Adult learners who maintained their motivation also demonstrated a greater number of reasons for study. Their motivation embraced intrinsic and extrinsic, integrative and instrumental orientations, short-term and long-term ambitions, and an L2 self both ideal and realistically attainable. During their course module they focused more consistently than others on the language skills they had targeted, and expressed increased enjoyment of the learning experience. This study suggests that achieving ‘softer’ short-term goals encourages persistence towards longer-term goals which reflect the ideal L2 self.


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