Selecting the graduate student interview participants

In addition to examining the new media composition opportunities offered, it is critical to hear directly from graduate students and instructors. During the semester in which this research was initiated, Old Dominion University offered a “production” course titled “Rhetoric in Cyberspace” that examined not only new media theory, but also required multiple digital compositions.

Because of this requirement, students would be able to comment first-hand on new media composition. A request for volunteers was e-mailed to all 13 people registered for the course. Five indicated a willingness to be interviewed but scheduling conflicts allowed only three to participate (two doctoral students, one Masters student).

The impetus for this empirical research was an experience with a final project in another course, “Text and Technologies.” During the final meeting of that course, a colleague and I began to discuss our experiences surrounding the final assignment. While we had both initially decided to complete a new media project, she changed her mind during the composition process and decided to write a traditional 20 - 25 page paper instead. Thus, my colleague was asked and agreed to become the fourth student interviewed.

Selecting student participants • Selecting instructor participants • Analyzing the Interviews • Limitations (interviews) • Home