Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

Advisor

Charles Schlosser

Committee Member

Anymir Orellana

Keywords

content analysis, editorial board, gender, instructional technology, leadership, scholarly productivity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the leadership status of women in the instructional technology field during the period 2014-2018. Five areas of leadership were examined (a) faculty rank in instructional technology programs, (b) positions on editorial boards of leading instructional technology journals, (c) publications in leading instructional technology journals, (d) presentations at leading conferences in the instructional technology field, and (e) leadership of four leading professional organizations in the field.

The study utilized a quantitative content analysis research method. A code sheet was developed for the five areas of leadership. Research Question 1: What was the leadership status of women in the instructional technology field during the period 2014-2018? The data were analyzed using a One proportion Z test calculator to determine if there were statistically significant differences between the observed proportions. Research Question 2: Was there a significant change in the total percentage of females in each of the four areas addressed in sub-questions 1B through 1E between the year 2014 and the year 2018? A Z-test calculator was used to compare the magnitudes of two proportions—the proportion at time point 1 with the proportion at the considered time period 2.

The instructional technology field has been historically dominated by male leaders. However, an analysis of the data revealed that there is a greater percentage of women faculty, editorial board members, authors, and conference presenters. There is also a growing trend of women leading professional organizations. The study provided an insight in to the present status of women’s leadership in the field. As a result of the findings of the present study, the general conclusion was that the instructional technology field which was once dominated by male leaders is now dominated by female leaders.

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