@phdthesis{discovery10006518,
          school = {Institute of Education, University of London},
            note = {Leaves 138-246 are appendices.},
            year = {2010},
           title = {The time-use of distance learners : a study of international postgraduate students engaged in professional career development},
             url = {http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.534812},
          author = {McNeill, William Neil},
        abstract = {This thesis investigates how internationally located distance learning students allocate their
time, and in particular seeks to establish whether an optimum time for study exists and the
factors that influence this. It examines mature students working in the real estate and
construction sectors studying for a postgraduate qualification that enables career progression to
membership of a professional institution. It confirms that time use is individual and that, while
average times exist, there are no average students or cohesive groups that conform to a central
tendency. Through following an inductive approach the research argues for the definition of a
standard student as one whose time use preferences for integrating study into their working
week fit within a range of hours. The conclusion proposes that the range of hours and variation
in the opportunity cost of study set boundaries for a temporal zone within which the standard
student is found; and which differentiates these from non-standard students whose constraints
place them at the extremes of time use.
The research used a 24-hour pre-coded diary, integrated into a learning activity, and kept by
students for seven days. The diary recorded time during a module at the start of the students'
first year, and was supplemented by pre and post questionnaires. Changing patterns in time use
were identified through a follow-up longitudinal survey conducted over the succeeding eight
months. The initial data analysis used quantitative methods to summarise the data that provided
a general portrait of time use, but also demonstrated the limitations of conventional statistics in
illuminating and developing satisfactory explanation for human behaviour. In consequence a
more qualitative analysis was undertaken using both aggregate and disaggregate techniques
developed within time use practice to explore the issues and factors.
The thesis identifies the principal factors affecting time use and discusses these with
reference to relevant research and other literature, and to associations that are apparent from
the time use analysis. The complexities of time use are recognised and discussed in relation to
zero sum time accounting, time management and both microeconomic and rational choice
theories. The thesis concludes by proposing how the concept of a temporal zone can be used to
help standard and}
}