Organization, Information and Learning Sciences ETDs

Mary Cooley

Publication Date

9-12-2014

Abstract

While the construct of emotional intelligence (EI), has been researched and discussed for nearly 25 years, most research of this variable has been done within traditional learning and workplace environments, namely face-to-face settings (Rudestam & Schoenholtz-Read, 2009), not the online learning environment, where, over the last ten plus years, education has largely been focused (Allen & Seaman, 2013). Mortiboys (2012), along with Powell and Kusuma-Powell (2010), found that successful college faculty tend to possess high levels of trait EI in traditional or face-to-face classroom settings, and yet, to date, very few similar studies have been conducted with faculty teaching in an online setting. This study sought to determine whether a relationship existed between self- assessed EI scores of university faculty members teaching at least one course online and their own job satisfaction levels. This study also sought to explore EI and job vii satisfaction scoring differences tied to the gender of the online instructors, utilizing the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire short form (Petrides and Furnham, 2004) and the Job Satisfaction Survey (Spector, 1985). A sample of 72 faculty members that taught at least one course in an online format agreed to complete a self-report instrument. Data was analyzed using simple correlations and grounded theory principles (Glaser and Strauss, 1967). Deductive reasoning was applied to the original research questions and quantitative results and inductive reasoning to assess the qualitative responses. Results indicated that trait emotional intelligence is only slightly, positively linked to faculty job satisfaction levels, more so for females than males. An analysis of statistically signi cant correlations at the factor level was also conducted. The study concludes with a discussion of results, limitations and implications for future research in this area.

Degree Name

Organizational Learning and Instructional Technology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Organization, Information & Learning Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Grassberger, Robert

Second Committee Member

Smith, Bruce

Third Committee Member

Taylor, Scott

Language

English

Keywords

Emotional intelligence, faculty, online learning

Document Type

Dissertation

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