who: I was able to find some people who did not share the same problem of finding cheap textbooks. The people that I interviewed who did not have the problem had different reasons why this was not a problem for them. Some said that it was not a problem because they had older siblings who had the same classes so they just used their old textbooks. Others said that they did not see this as a big problem as they just see it as part of their tuition money that they have to pay anyways. One person said that most of their classes do not actually require textbooks so it has not been a problem for him.
What: The need I identified is finding affordable textbooks. A need that is different than this one but might have the same underlying problem is being able to afford tuition in general and whether colleges should be free.
Why: I do not believe that the underlying cause is different as in all cases it would be about money. However, what is different is how much of a problem it is for different people and the fact that some people are not put in a situation where they have to buy expensive textbooks so they are not aware of the problem.
Inside The Boundary
Students
The problem is finding affordable textbooks.
The need exists because textbooks are expensive and it is sometimes hard finding the best-priced ones.
Outside The Boundary
Professors, students who do not need textbooks.
The need is not financial help with tuition or other college expenses.
Professors sometimes ask for too many textbooks that require access codes.
Hey Maria! I really liked how you broke your information down. Looking at the information from your gathered interviews, I can definitely see the defined boundaries of your idea. I can clearly see who can be and who can't be defined within the boundaries. I think the information you included in your in/outside boundaries clearly represent the information you gathered. There will always be a bell curve style to populations so there are some students who can't afford books at all, those who just find them too expensive, and those who have no problem with textbooks. I also appreciated how professors were included in those outside the boundary because while they are part of the on-campus population, they do not have the need. Great job!
ReplyDeleteDear Maria,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job explaining the difference between people inside and outside the boundary. Professors, students who do not need textbooks, The need is not financial help with tuition or other college expenses, and Professors sometimes ask for too many textbooks that require access codes are definitely outsiders who you wouldn't need to target since they don't have the need.