RESEARCH TRENDS IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY GRADUATE WORK IN THREE AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES: A CONTENT ANALYSIS

Date

2025-12-01

Author

Abdulrahman, Ilham

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A comprehensive analysis of 137 master's theses and PhD dissertations submitted between 2020 and 2025 at three prominent African institutions—the American University of Cairo, the University of Nairobi, and the University of Cape Town—was conducted to identify emerging research trends in educational and instructional technology. This study aimed to provide insights into the current state of academic inquiry within this specialized field across different regions of Africa. Key research areas frequently explored in these graduate studies included the influence of teacher characteristics on educational outcomes and various factors contributing to student success. This indicates a strong focus on pedagogical practices and learner-centric approaches within the instructional technology discourse. In terms of methodological preferences, graduate theses predominantly favored mixed-methods and qualitative research designs. Within qualitative approaches, case studies and surveys were particularly prevalent, suggesting a preference for in-depth understanding of specific contexts and widespread data collection on attitudes and perceptions. Sampling strategies were often purposive and convenient, aligning with the qualitative and mixed-methods designs, and typically involved mid-to-large sample sizes. Data collection efforts commonly employed interviews and questionnaires as primary instruments, facilitating the gathering of rich qualitative data and structured quantitative responses. The research settings for these studies were primarily concentrated within higher education institutions and primary education environments. This highlights a particular emphasis on technology integration and its impact in both foundational learning stages and advanced academic contexts, leaving other educational levels perhaps less explored in the current research landscape.

Subject Keywords

Instructional technology, Graduate theses in African universities, Research trends

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/118271

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis