We are running a project called the PHEA Educational TechnoIogy Initiative (ETI). The purpose of the project is to support interventions in universities supported by the Partnership for Higher Education in Africa (PHEA) to make increasingly effective use of educational technology to address some of the underlying educational challenges facing the higher educational sector in Africa. This has required a focus on capacity development to initiate and sustain effective educational technology projects which impact on the nature and quality of the student learning experience and outcomes, as well as a focus on knowledge creation and dissemination across and between partner universities on the use of educational technology.

The project initially comprised a year-long, comprehensive engagement process with identified institutions (Catholic University of Mozambique, Kenyatta University, University of Dar es Salaam, University of Ibadan, University of Jos) and focused on providing learners with access to quality education and research opportunities; building academics’ capacity to teach effectively; and enhancing the institutional management and administration necessary to support and enable teaching, learning and research activities. Each of the universities, in collaboration with the PHEA ETI team has identified projects and developed comprehensive implementation plans for these projects. Each university has received funding from PHEA to develop these projects.

One of the institutions, Kenyatta University, has identified six projects for implementation. One of their six projects involves the development of a post-graduate university “Research Methodology” course. It is envisaged that this course be constructed using available open educational content and resources. Desktop research is currently being conducted to identify OER materials that can be used in constructing the course. This e-mail serves as a request to universities to assist us in providing access to relevant OER materials that may not necessarily be available via the internet.

We are looking for OER in the folllowing areas:

• Introduction to Research: Concepts, Types, Principles and Rationale, Epistemology.

• Research Problem: Concepts, Scope and link to title, Objectives, Hypotheses/premises, Limitations and delimitations.

• Research design: Definition, Types and Measurement.

• Literature Review, Theoretical and Conceptual Framework: Rationale, Sources, search and recording, Citation styles, Gaps identification, Linkages to objectives, Models application, Variables definitions.

• Population and Sampling: Sampling designs and procedures, Sample size.

• Research Instruments: Types and piloting.

• Logistical, Ethical, human and legal issues.

• Data Collection Procedures: Laboratory and non-laboratory approaches.

• Data Management and Analysis: Qualitative and quantitative.

• Proposal Writing: Format and development.

• Report and Thesis Writing: Format, development, presentation and dissemination.

• Referencing: Appendices/annexure, styles of referencing, citation styles.

If you or any of your university departments / colleagues have produced or have access to OER materials covering these topics, we would really appreciate your assistance in gaining access to these materials. Please send your response to Shelley Nicholas - shelleyn@icon.co.za