Edited by Nathan Lomax, Saturday, 1 Nov 2014, 10:05
Action 1.10
I typed in learning technology research to the OU library and these are the three articles I have selected:
1.
Jones, C, & Kennedy, G 2011, Stepping Beyond The Paradigm Wars: Pluralist Methods For Research In Learning Technology, n.p.: Open Research Online (ORO), EBSCOhost, viewed [online] http://tinyurl.com/nz8y28u accessed 1 November 2014.
Research question:
Something like:
Can a pluralist approach to thinking about research problems help to reduce confusion for new researchers between methods, methodologies and research paradigms?
Premise:
The paradigms of research adopted have real consequences for the ways research problems are conceived and articulated, and the ways in which research is conducted. The study recommends taking ‘counterpositive’ perspectives to a research problem, i.e.
‘If the researcher suggests one way of doing research in an area, we suggest that they should then set out an opposing research approach from another perspective or paradigm.’
I wonder if by doing this the study is subconsciously taking a Positivist approach?
Scope:
The ‘paradigm wars’ are described as a problem for all research, but this study focuses on the field of Educational Technology.
Whether the research context is clear
Apart from specifying a focus on learning technology, the context of the study is not made explicit in the abstract. The idea of applying a range of research methods as ‘diverse lenses to particular research problems’ could be interesting for all fields of research.
2.
Buttner, E. Holly, Black, Aprille Noe (2014) Assessment of the Effectiveness of an Online Learning System in Improving Student Test Performance. Journal of Education for Business. Vol. 89 Issue 5, p248-256. [online] http://tinyurl.com/khunur7(Accessed 29/10/14)
Research question:
The effectiveness of online learning systems for improving student test performance in a face-to-face learning environment.
Scope:
The study looks at one university and compares results from a cohort with VLE to the previous one without.
Whether the research context is clear
The abstract mentions the need to improve efficiency due to budget cuts. In the light of reading Ball, this could mean that it is biased towards replacing staff with computers.
3.
Prinsloo, P and Slade, S (2014) Educational Triage in Open DistanceLearning: Walking a Moral Tightrope. International Review of Research in Open & DistanceLearning. Vol. 15 Issue 4, p306-331. 26p. . [online] http://tinyurl.com/pezmuxd(Accessed 29/10/14)
Research question:
Explicitly stated: "how do we make moral decisions when resources are (increasingly) limited?
A conceptual framework examines the use of data to support decisions regarding student support.
Scope:
No mention is made in the abstract of which data will be analysed. The researchers are based in South Africa.
Whether the research context is clear
Again, the context is budget cuts and an evaluation of the use of data by institutions to make decisions that may impact on learners.
Action 1.10: Searching for material
Action 1.10
I typed in learning technology research to the OU library and these are the three articles I have selected:
1.
Jones, C, & Kennedy, G 2011, Stepping Beyond The Paradigm Wars: Pluralist Methods For Research In Learning Technology, n.p.: Open Research Online (ORO), EBSCOhost, viewed [online] http://tinyurl.com/nz8y28u accessed 1 November 2014.
Research question:
Something like:
Can a pluralist approach to thinking about research problems help to reduce confusion for new researchers between methods, methodologies and research paradigms?
Premise:
The paradigms of research adopted have real consequences for the ways research problems are conceived and articulated, and the ways in which research is conducted. The study recommends taking ‘counterpositive’ perspectives to a research problem, i.e.
‘If the researcher suggests one way of doing research in an area, we suggest that they should then set out an opposing research approach from another perspective or paradigm.’
I wonder if by doing this the study is subconsciously taking a Positivist approach?
Scope:
The ‘paradigm wars’ are described as a problem for all research, but this study focuses on the field of Educational Technology.
Whether the research context is clear
Apart from specifying a focus on learning technology, the context of the study is not made explicit in the abstract. The idea of applying a range of research methods as ‘diverse lenses to particular research problems’ could be interesting for all fields of research.
2.
Buttner, E. Holly, Black, Aprille Noe (2014) Assessment of the Effectiveness of an Online Learning System in Improving Student Test Performance. Journal of Education for Business. Vol. 89 Issue 5, p248-256. [online] http://tinyurl.com/khunur7 (Accessed 29/10/14)
Research question:
The effectiveness of online learning systems for improving student test performance in a face-to-face learning environment.
Scope:
The study looks at one university and compares results from a cohort with VLE to the previous one without.
Whether the research context is clear
The abstract mentions the need to improve efficiency due to budget cuts. In the light of reading Ball, this could mean that it is biased towards replacing staff with computers.
3.
Prinsloo, P and Slade, S (2014) Educational Triage in Open Distance Learning: Walking a Moral Tightrope. International Review of Research in Open & Distance Learning. Vol. 15 Issue 4, p306-331. 26p. . [online] http://tinyurl.com/pezmuxd(Accessed 29/10/14)
Research question:
Explicitly stated: "how do we make moral decisions when resources are (increasingly) limited?
A conceptual framework examines the use of data to support decisions regarding student support.
Scope:
No mention is made in the abstract of which data will be analysed. The researchers are based in South Africa.
Whether the research context is clear
Again, the context is budget cuts and an evaluation of the use of data by institutions to make decisions that may impact on learners.