Investigating the Topic Area Focus of PhD TEFL Dissertations at AAUGS

Abstract

This paper aimed at exploring the standing of TEFL research in Jordan in terms of topic area of PhD dissertations awarded by Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies (AAUGS). The researchers scrutinized the topic area of all TEFL dissertations of AAUGS from 2003 till 2010 (82 dissertations) regarding their compliance with the technological, cultural, academic, pedagogical variables and challenges of the 21st Century. More precisely, the questions of the study were: 1) What are the major topic areas of Jordanian TEFL dissertations, considering Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies as an example? 2) What topic areas of TEFL dissertations at Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies are: over researched, satisfactorily researched, neglected areas or need more research? Is there is any statistically significant differences at α = 0.01 due to topic area? To answer these questions the researchers scanned almost all AAUGS PhD dissertations from 2003 till 2010 for the title and the abstract to be able to define the topic area. The findings of the study revealed that the focal point of most TEFL dissertations is on reading as an over-researched area and on writing (a separate and integrated skill) as satisfactorily researched areas while others considered either neglected or poorly researched areas.