October 28, 2009

Principle Investigator Dr. Timothy M. Chester, assisted by Mr. Gerald Flynn (both of Pepperdine University), made a site visit to Boston University 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 six separate focus groups consisting of faculty, students, and staff. Over eight hours of discussions regarding technology services were recorded and will be processed and incorporated into the Higher Education TechQual+ Project instrument.

This field work will be instrumental to the overall process of creating version 4.0 of the TechQual+ instrument. The narratives will be subject to a content analysis that will inform the development process.

"We are very grateful for the significant commitment of time and resources made to the Higher Education TechQual+ Project by Boston University" noted Dr. Chester. "Gerry and I found the faculty, students, and staff at BU to be delightful and we have picked up several new insights that will advance this research project. Ultimately, the payoff of BU's investment will be increased quality of technology services at BU and within all of Higher Education. We are very grateful for the participation of Tracy Schroeder, Vice President of Information Services and Technology at Boston University."