Conceptual typologies of learning communities for master’s course students using a publications exemplar: a comparative institutional analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT With an increased emphasis being placed on the importance of postgraduate students publishing articles in international journals, many students may feel a need to organise learning communities with faculty members or their peers to support this aspirational activity. Most research in this area is related to doctoral students, but places relatively little focus on master ones. This study aims to conceptualise possible patterns for the formation of such learning communities through a comparative institutional analysis, based on a qualitative game theoretic discussion. We propose four basic learning community modes: individual (i.e. one-on-one consultancy by faculty staff reviewing individual student drafts); lecture (i.e. writing lectures led by a faculty staff member); peer collaboration (i.e. only students working together on their drafts); and, solo (i.e. individual students working on their own manuscripts without structured support). This is one of a small number of attempts to formalise and provide an analytical model of possible types of coordination between faculty members and master’s course students regarding learning community activities. Our analysis indicates that the most efficient strategy for students reaching the point of successful submission is to have faculty members support them by facilitating groups of student authors and providing feedback on their drafts.