An Investigation of Factors that Motivate Military Personnel to Participate in College

Programs and the Relationship to Career

Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Course
Professor
Date

2

Table of Contents
Chapter One: Introduction 11
Overview 11
Introduction to the Research Topic 11
Why Study Motivation of Military Personnel in College Programs 12
Theoretical Framework 13
Adult Learning Theory 13
Motivational Theory 14
Reflective Theory 14
Social Learning Theory 15
Relation of the Theoretical Framework with Research Questions 15
Social Context 16
The Broader Societal Context 16
The Effect of Military Service on People’s Life and Education 17
Theoretical Context 18
Adult Learning Theory 18
Motivational Theory 19
Reflective Theory 19
Social Learning Theory 20
Any Other Relevant Theories 20

3
Problem Statement 20
Importance of the Research Problem 21
The Gap in the Current Literature 22
Purpose Statement 23
Main Objectives 23
Significance of the Study 24
Theoretical Context 24
Empirical Context 25
Practical Context 25
Research Questions 26
Central Research Question 26
Sub-Question One 26
Sub-Question Two 26
Sub-Question Three 27
Definitions 27
Summary of Chapter 1 29
Chapter Two: Literature Review 30
Overview 30
Theoretical Framework 32
Theoretical Foundations 32

4
Adult Learning Theory 32
Principles of Adult Learning Theory 33
Implications for Military Education 34
Motivational Theory 35
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation 35
Self-Determination Theory 36
Expectancy-Value Theory 36
Reflective Theory 36
The Essence of Reflective Theory 37
Application in Military Education 37
Practical Implications 38
Social Learning Theory 39
Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory 39
Application to Military Education 39
Research Implications 41
Other Relevant Theories 41
Connection to Research Questions 41
Related Literature 43
Adult Learning Theory 43
Introduction to Adult Learning Theory 43

5
Motivation in Adult Learning 43
Applying adult learning theory in military education 44
Motivational Theory 44
Introduction to Motivational Theory 44
Self-Determination Theory (SDT) 44
Expectancy Theory 44
Achievement Goal Theory 44
Reflective Theory 45
Introduction to Reflective Theory 45
Reflective Learning in the Military 45
Social Learning Theory 45
Introduction to Social Learning Theory 45
Peer Influence and Role Models 45
Any Other Relevant Theories 46
Introduction to Other Theories 46
Synthesis of the Literature 46
Conclusion 46
Significance of Adult Learning Theory 46
Significance of Motivational Theory 47
Understanding Through Reflective Theory 47

6
The Role of Social Learning Theory 47
Additional Relevant Theories 47
Critique of the Literature 48
Strengths of Existing Research 48
Weaknesses of Existing Research 49
Demonstrating Interconnections 51
How Adult Learning Theory Relates to Motivational Theory 51
Conclusion 52
Summarizing Synthesis 53
Adult Learning Theory 53
Motivational Theory 53
Reflective Theory 54
Social Learning Theory 54
Justification for Inclusion 54
Summary 56
Overview 56
Theoretical Framework 56
Related Literature 56
Critique the Literature 57
Summarizing Synthesis 58

7
Chapter Three: Methods 59
Overview 59
Research Design 59
Qualitative Research 59
Document Analysis 59
Research Questions 60
Setting and Participants 61
Setting 61
Participants 61
Recruitment Plan 61
Researcher’s Positionality 61
Interpretive Framework 62
Researcher’s Role 62
Research Design 62
Research Design Overview 63
Alignment with Research Questions 63
Central Research Question 63
Sub-Question One 63
Sub-Question Two 63
Sub-Question Three 63

8
Qualitative Data Collection 64
Quantitative Data Collection 64
Research Questions 65
Central Research Question 65
Sub-Question One 65
Sub-Question Two 66
Sub-Question Three 66
Research Setting 66
Target Participants 67
Announcements and Flyers 68
Mass Emails 68
Newspaper Advertisements 68
Academic Meetings and Presentations 69<