posted on 2006-05-05, 11:51authored byAndrew R. Hine
This paper reviews the development of a research methodology to capture conceptions of technology in a form such that the conception of one individual can be compared with those of others.
Although other studies have been undertaken in this field they have in the main been concerned with values and attitudes towards technology. The methodology which is reported in this paper utilises 'agree - disagree' responses to statements in a questionnaire to generate a 'conception statement' for each respondent. This 'conception statement' is constructed from a statement bank via a predetermined option matrix. The written statement allows respondents to confirm that their conception is correctly recorded. The methodology also allows the conceptions of a number of individuals to be compared both graphically and numerically. The range and frequency of identical conceptions can be determined for any sample of individuals.
The paper concludes with a brief consideration of the areas for research in which such a methodology might be applied.
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Citation
HINE, A.R., 1997. Capturing and comparing students conceptions of technology. IDATER 1997 Conference, Loughborough: Loughborough University