| The purpose of this inquiry was to study variations that exist in the concerns of college faculty about the Data Processing Management Association's Model Curriculum. The intent of the study was to relate certain department and institutional variables to faculty members' concerns about the model curriculum. Two questionnaires were used in the study. The first, sent to CIS faculty members in institutions reported to have adopted the model curriculum, measured their degree of concern on the seven hypothesized Stages of Concern that individuals move through as they become more familiar and adept in the use of an innovation. This survey instrument was developed by Gene Hall and others at the University of Texas at Austin. The second survey instrument, developed by the researcher and sent to CIS department chairs, was designed to collect department and institutional data that were thought to relate to faculty concerns about their use of the model curriculum.;A total of 328 four-year colleges and universities in the United States were reported to have adopted the DPMA Model Curriculum since its release in 1981. Six faculty questionnaires and one department chair questionnaire were sent to each institution. Of the institutions surveyed, 86 provided complete responses representing 26.2% of the total. An average of 3.1 faculty responded per institution.;It was found that four variables had a significant relationship with faculty concerns about the model curriculum. These variables are: (1) Source of Adoption Information, (2) DPMA Status of CIS Department Chair, (3) Type of Institution, and (4) Size of CIS Faculty. Three variables, thought to be related to faculty concerns about the model curriculum based on previous research but were not, were: (1) Year of Adoption, (2) Perceived Level of Implementation, and (3) Average Semesters of Use.;The findings from the study resulted in a better understanding of the factors that influence the degree of faculty concerns about their use of the DPMA Model Curriculum. Further research is recommended into additional factors that may influence faculty concerns about their use of this important educational innovation. |
