Title
Social Media Policies and Academic Freedom: Higher Education Faculty and Administrator Perceptions
Date of Award
Spring 3-28-2017
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctorate of Education, Ed.D.
College
College of Education
Department
Education
First Advisor
Chris Jenkins, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Angela Owusu-Ansah
Third Advisor
Bola Tilghman
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions higher education faculty members and administrators have on the use of social media, whether academic freedom applies to social media, and the legal protections of academic freedom on social media. A quantitative survey and semi-structured interviews were employed to gather descriptive data about perceptions from a mixed group of higher education faculty and administrators. Chi square analysis was used to determine significance of constructs. Results from this survey indicate that administrators are more likely to use social media personally and professionally, while faculty members are more likely to believe the protections of academic freedom apply to social media. Fewer than half of both groups believed social media was protected by academic freedom. This study demonstrated a definite need for greater understanding of academic freedom protections by administrators and further research in this unexplored territory.