Thesis
Threshold concepts: A multi-modal exploration of the lived experience
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2022
- Thesis identifier
- T16363
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201871374
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- This thesis expands upon the existing literature around threshold concepts, through discussing a multi-modal exploration into how these moments of transformational learning present themselves amongst a subset of late-diagnosed autistic adults. Moving away from the discipline-specific context in which threshold concepts have tended to be studied previously, this thesis details an exploration into a more personal transformation – that of reaching a place of self-acceptance following a late diagnosis of autism. In doing so, it discusses insights into this threshold concept specifically, and threshold concepts more broadly, alongside the further questions that have been raised by this new knowledge. To provide background for this research, the thesis begins with an in-depth exploration of autism and neurodiversity, in which context the threshold concepts are then studied, and to a lesser degree, knowledge levels and the sensemaking which was used throughout. A brief literature review into communities of practice is also included, as the importance of communities and networks became evident once the empirical part of the study was underway. A synthesis of these separate areas is provided towards the end of the literature review, providing a brief overview of how they have been combined for a meaningful insight into the learning process in question. The findings from this research, which can briefly be described as a striking similarity between the liminal journey of these autistic participants, and the liminal journey as discussed in existing threshold concept literature that, presumably, includes neurotypical participants. A potential further stage to the threshold concept framework is identified with potential relevance to threshold concepts generally. Furthermore, the role of communities and networks in this type of transformational learning has been established, and some important insights into neurodiversity have been achieved. Seminal threshold concept literature states that experiencing a threshold concept enables membership of a community; this thesis shows that this community may not be the one which was expected, and recommends further research into the different roles of networks and communities while studying the phenomenon. Another question which has been raised by this research relates to the post-liminal phase of threshold concept acquisition, which does not appear to be as final as existing literature suggests. With regards to neurodiversity, the thesis outlines how the main learning point on that front was that there was seemingly no apparent difference in the threshold concept experience while focusing on autistic adults, which is in itself valuable. Rather than finding further indications of a difference, this research has illustrated that autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people are, after all, still people, but people who think in a different way, thereby contributing to ongoing efforts to increase societal understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity. In addition, this study is an example of how research indirection (Dörfler et al., 2018) and an emergent research design work to enable more meaningful exploration of a phenomenon – in this case, experiencing the threshold concept that is self-acceptance as an autistic adult. Rather than being limited to the methodological approach which is typical under a given philosophical framework, a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods is used while engaging in phenomenal theorizing in a broadly interpretivist framework, alongside explanation of why the inclusion of quantitative methods does not make the research any less interpretivist. In fact, the thesis argues that good interpretivism involves embracing any and all methods which further understanding. In this case, a combination of autoethnography, unstructured interviews, and Twitter social network analysis are used to complement one another and develop a rich illustration of the phenomenon which was explored. Future research into a potential addition of a further stage, beyond post-liminality, to the threshold concepts framework is proposed, as is further exploration of the role of identity and communities in transformational learning. It is proposed that future research continue the inclusion of quantitative methods in an interpretivist framework, a practice which is not entirely new, but remains an oddity despite apparent advantages.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Dorfler, Viktor
- Akartunali, Kerem
- Moir, Iain
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relations
Items
| Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Visibility | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
PDF of thesis T16363 | 2022-10-19 | Public | Download |