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This study contained certain limiting conditions that are inherent in most qualitative research; and, some that were a result of this situation. In
general, there are limitations on generalizability of such qualitative studies, in that nothing was controlled for and random sampling was not used. This case was very context-specific, due to the uniqueness of the
delivery system. Also, the participants might be considered representative of only similar students in similar programs (e.g., graduate level instructional technology programs). This study attempted to allow things to
exist naturally, and to control for nothing. Other restrictive weaknesses include a reliance on the textual data provided by the students' written online interaction. This data were very
case-specific, and only offered written communication. Though this may be an advantage in many ways, it did limit the type of data collected (e.g. of other type: perceptions elicited through interviews). Also, though
"learning" is a topic, there was no testing, a traditional measure of learning as an outcome, a process that has been typically measured in numerical terms. Lastly, since the analysis rested with the analytic choices
and thinking of the researcher, the findings as a result of these processes could be subject to other interpretations. Nevertheless, this researcher has given careful thought to these
limitations, and is confident that the methods used and the information gained is valid, useful, and enlightening. The strengths and significance of the study far outweigh potential weaknesses. |
