Extension Guidelines for Distance Education Research

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1) to study problem conditions on distance education research encountered by faculty members at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University 2) to study guidelines for solving problem on distance education research encountered by faculty members at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and 3) to seek extension guidelines for distance education research at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. The population comprised 2 following groups; 1) a number of 363 faculty members from the University’s schools and offices (excluding those who were on leave for further study) and out of 190 persons were selected as samples by simple random sampling and 2) a number of 5 administrators and experts selected by purposive sampling. Two types of research tools were questionnaire and group discussion.  Data collection was conducted by questionnaires distribution to schools and offices as well as experts meeting through the process of group discussion.  Data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation while qualitative data was used for content analysis. 

The research findings were as follows.

1. Overall problem condition on distance education research: all aspects of problem were found at medium level i.e. 1) budget 2) availability of time 3) knowledge and support for facilities and materials were apparently found at the same number and 4) publication and application of research results.


2. Extension guidelines for distance education research were 1) to set a policy and develop both

short-term planning, intermediate-term planning and long-term planning 2) to organize activities providing distance education and research knowledge 3) to allocate sufficient budget and research resources that in line with the University policy 4) to distribute budget for distance education research to every school and office 5) to create research atmosphere as well as cooperative atmosphere among faculty members from other schools to enhance their knowledge sharing 6) to widely publicize the public relations information on distance education research.