Doctoral Consortia are very different from your average conference. For the 2019 ECTEL DC we introduce the early stage track for PhD candidates to present their research ideas prior to their initial findings or first publications. This is not without formal requirements. This slidedeck helps students to prepare a position statement for their Ph.D. project in order to get early feedback from the community and raise the quality of their research. The slides focuses on a structured approach to PhD projects in the field of technology enhanced learning.

1. Getting Ready for the
EC-TEL Doctoral Consortium
Christian Glahn C.Glahn@tudelft.nl
Esther Tan e.b.k.tan@tudelft.nl
Centre for
Education and
Learning

2. • A clear formulation of the research question.
• An identification of the significant problems in the field of research within the
TEL domain.
• An outline of the current knowledge of the problem domain, as well as
the state of existing solutions (use references!).
• A presentation of any preliminary ideas, the proposed approach
• An outline of the results achieved so far.
• A sketch of the applied research methodology.
• A description of the Ph.D. project's contribution to the problem solution in the
TEL domain.
• A discussion of how the suggested solution is different, new, or better as
compared to existing approaches to the problem.
+ a signed letter from your supervisor!
The ECTEL DC formalities
http://www.ec-tel.eu/index.php?id=910
Without references you will be
rejected!
3-4 Pages incl. references

3. Centre for
Education and
Learning
An advanced work that makes a
significant new contribution to your
chosen discipline/ subject area
What is a doctoral thesis?
Conferences and Journals
support your Doctoral Thesis

4. Centre for
Education and
Learning
A complex project that responds to a non-
trivial research question and that requires
risk management and decision making!
What is a doctoral project?
The DC supports
your Doctoral Project

5. § Part I. Check-in: What do I want to
achieve?
(Individual : 45 min)
§ Part II. Check-out: I am on track…
(Small group: 30 min)
Workshop Outline:

6. § Conceptualize the main narrative: What is
new in my TEL story?
§ Construct researchable research
question(s)
§ Communicate the modus operandi to
execute your research
Part I: Check-in
The 3 Cs

7. Value-addedness!!!
§ Identify your significant problem in the
TEL domain
§ Outline your current knowledge of the
problem domain & existing solutions
§ Discuss how your idea will be different,
new, or better: advance an existing theory
Task 1
Conceptualize Research Idea(s)
as Research Questions

8. Task 2.1
Construct Research Question(s)
Effectiveness
Efficiency
Attractiveness
Epistemology
Literatureresearch
Quasiexperiments
Controlledexperiments
Fieldstudies
Exploration/Design
Relevant research changes
with the maturity of
the field or topic

9. Task 2.1
Construct Research Question(s)
Effectiveness
Efficiency
Attractiveness
Epistemology
Literatureresearch
Quasiexperiments
Controlledexperiments
Fieldstudies
Exploration/Design
technicalmaturity
conceptual maturity

10. Task 2.1
Construct Research Question(s)
Effectiveness
Efficiency
Attractiveness
Epistemology
Literatureresearch
Quasiexperiments
Controlledexperiments
Fieldstudies
Exploration/Design
Locate where yourresearch belongs

11. Methodology
§ Sample & design
o Application domain (e.g., schools or vocational training)
o Design-based research or controlled experiments
o Experimental design (within or between groups)
§ Measures
o Quantitative (horizontal)
o Qualitative (vertical)
o Mixed Method (triangulation)
Task 2.2
Communicate Research Approach

12. E.g., RQ:
What is the effect of anonymity on
online peer review in second language writing?
Framing the Narrative …
Study Type
Research Objective
Intervention
Research Context

13. E.g., RQ: What is the effect of anonymity on online peer
review in second language writing?
§ independent variable(s):
§ Anonymous peer review
§ Non-anonymous peer review
§ Prior Language skills
§ dependent variable(s):
§ Directive lower-order concerns
§ Non-directive lower-order concerns
§ Directive higher-order concerns
§ Non-directive higher-order concerns
§ Partly-processed; processed & not-processed feedback items
Framing the Narrative …

14. • Choose between research objectives!
E.g., seamless learning or MOOCs not seamless learning and MOOCs
• Fill the gaps in existing research or development!
E.g., extend ADDIE model for resources not create new model for resources
• Build on standards and commercial system functions!
Avoid off-topic problems that are solved commercially, they are insignificant!
Framing the Narrative …
Focus, Focus, Focus!

15. Share your research idea/topic in small groups of 3
ü How does my research idea contribute to the
field of research with TEL domain?
ü How do I operationalize my research?
ü What do I want to demonstrate in my research
and what do I expect I will deliver?
Part II: Check-out (30 min)

16. Centre for
Education and
Learning
Thank you for
your participation.
Now get ready for the ECTEL DC
Deadline: 17 June 2019