W4D1

Week 4 Discussion Question "The Proposal” Please respond to the following:

From the literature review articles, you have been collecting since Week 1 on your research topic, select one (1) article that uses the deficiencies model of an introduction as described in your text. Then, explain the gap in the research and how the author’s research informs the problem. Post the link to the article.

*******************************************************************************************************

Week 2 Discussion Question Answer

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Reviews

Research carried out on assessing the impact of a student studying abroad at Michigan State University which focused on how students were affected when they travelled to study away from home. The quantitative research concentrated on collecting data from students and the faculty observation as well as surveys from other campus units. The questionnaires were designed to obtain the true feelings of the respondents on their attitudes and experiences i.e. focus was on the cultural change, language barrier as well as the educational systems. The data was statistically analyzed using independent and paired t-tests. According to Ingraham, & Peterson, (2004). The outcome of the survey was that most of the students preferred to study away from home so as to enhance their intellectual growth, personal development, and professional exposure. The respondents mainly claimed that studying away from home would grant them an opportunity to juggle school and part-time jobs as their schedules were only dependent on them, they would also get to access financial aid which is readily available to students who mostly are away from their mother country. There was also an opportunity for personal growth and independence and ultimately better building of one's character. However, some respondents also complained about the struggles on the cultural adjustment change. 

The qualitative research on the mobility of students in University in the UK chooses to live at home as compared to the campus residential halls and their experiences as they commute to school. The study which used secondary data on students’ financial capability and also school performance showed that students do not voluntarily choose to live off campus but maybe forced by financial constraints at home (Christie, 2007). Since the financial budget of one living at home would be friendlier to parents that living on campus. The research also establishes that students who stay at home have limited networks and most times do not get any exposure beyond home environment and ultimately affecting their professional progression.

References

Christie, H. (2007). Higher education and spatial (in) mobility: non-traditional students and living at home. Environment and Planning A, 39(10), 2445-2463.

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1068/a38361

Ingraham, E. C., & Peterson, D. L. (2004). Assessing the impact of study abroad on student learning at Michigan State University. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study abroad, 10, 83-100.

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ891450

Week 3 Discussion Question Answer

Theories on Qualitative and Quantitative Research

The theories advanced by research conducted at Michigan University focussed on three pillars; intellectual growth whereby the faculty respondents claim that they had seen significant growth on the abroad students with their GPA scores being even better than those of the off-campus students, also the study of an additional language dependent on the student was a key benefit (Ingraham, & Peterson, 2004). The other theory was on professional and personal growth which especially with the cultural immersions in place. The study described the relations using push and pull factors analogy whereby the push factors were insufficient capacity in home country for higher education, ineligibility to join state universities and low quality of certain educational programs. The pull factors on the other end were the advantages accrued from the country they study from, exposure and convenience as well as improved prospects on the labour sector of the country.

The study theorizes that students who live off- campus being mainly influenced by financial factors due to the level of income made their families. The study however brings out the fact that there was no significant difference between those who live on campus and off-campus as their performance was relatively similar (Christie, 2007). The main difference that arose was that those who live on campus would have preferred to stay home due to general living conditions at the halls of residence as they highly influenced one’s college experience right from being freshmen. According to the research, there is no binding relation as to one staying in campus or living at home as each of the responses received were unique to students but one would easily hypothesize that students who live at home are strained financially and have limited network exposure as compared to their counter parts on campus.

References

Christie, H. (2007). Higher education and spatial (in) mobility: non-traditional students and living at home. Environment and Planning A, 39(10), 2445-2463.

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1068/a38361

Ingraham, E. C., & Peterson, D. L. (2004). Assessing the impact of study abroad on student learning at Michigan State University. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study abroad, 10, 83-100.

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ891450