Field Work at the University of New Mexico

(April 19, 2007) Principle Investigator Dr. Timothy M. Chester, assisted by Mr. Gerald Flynn (both  of Pepperdine University), made a site visit to the University of New Mexico to conduct qualitative focus groups designed to assist in the building of the Higher Education TechQual+ Project instrument.  Over two days Dr. Chester and Mr. Flynn conducted five separate focus groups consisting of faculty, students, and staff.  Over eight hours of discussions regarding technology services were recorded and will be processed and made available through the Higher Education TechQual+ Project website by late summer (2007).

This field work will be instrumental to the overall process of creating version 3.0 of the TechQual+ instrument.  The narratives will be subject to a content analysis that will inform the development process.  Version 3.0 is expected to be available for use by participating institutions by March 1, 2008.  Field work will be conducted at additional institutions throughout 2007 and 2008.

"We are very grateful for the significant commitment of time and resources made to the Higher Education TechQual+ Project by the University of New Mexico" noted Dr. Chester.  "Gerry and I found the faculty, students, and staff at UNM to be delightful and we have picked up several new insights that will advance this research project.  Ultimately, the payoff of UNM's investment will be increased quality of technology services at UNM and within all of Higher Education.  We are very grateful for the participation of Jane McGuire, Sally Bowler-Hill, Deputy CIO Holly Buchanan, Interim CIO Barney Maccabe, and many others."