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=Welcome to ABdissertation!=

Summer 2011==**The Purpose of Dissertation Research**==

During this module, each learning community will create a wiki to use as a workspace. Each member of your learning community will create one page for his or her own work, so everyone can easily visit and view it on a regular basis. After creating your wiki, send a link to each member of your learning community as well as your Instructor via the **Email** feature in this eCollege classroom. Please ensure the Wiki is created by **Day 3** of **Week 1**. After watching the video program, “Purpose of the Dissertation,” you should have several ideas about the purpose of a dissertation and how to develop relevant research questions. In this module, you will accomplish two tasks: (a) identify an area you want to explore to formulate your question(s); and (b) identify the broad theoretical foundation that seems most relevant to your area of research. Review the posts of colleagues in your learning community and confer with them to help them refine their topics of interest. Ask questions of one another. Provide constructive feedback. Offer support and additional reflection to help your colleagues formulate and refine their thoughts and ideas. Through this process, you will begin to refine your own research questions. Note that you will continue to refine your questions throughout the course. Post your response by **Day 7** of **Week 1**. Respond to your learning community by **Day 3** of **Week 2**, so you have time to engage in a discussion of your ideas.
 * Part 1: Create Group Wiki**
 * Part 2: Define Research Interest and Identify Theoretical Foundations**
 * First:** In your wiki page, create a section titled **Research Interest**, where you describe an area of educational technology in which you would like to conduct research. Revisit those thoughts and ideas that pique your fascination and interest (or “keep you up at night”). Consider only those ideas that you might be willing to spend a year of your life researching. In this section, describe these ideas for your learning community, and begin to reflect on the kinds of questions you might want to research. At this point, your ideas may not be well-formulated or focused. That is to be expected.
 * Second:** Create a section in your wiki page titled **Theoretical Foundations**. Select two of the seven areas described in your course text, and share why these areas are most relevant to your research interest. Support your selection(s) with references and citations from the text. Once you determine the kind of theoretical foundation you need for your interest, it will be easier to locate the specific theory or theories you must explore for your study. Refining your ideas based on your own philosophical approach to research will help you gain a stronger focus for your own work.