![](https://editlib-media.s3.amazonaws.com/sources/irrodl.jpg)
Selecting Research Areas and Research Design Approaches in Distance Education: Process Issues
ARTICLE
BK Passi, Sudarshan Mishra
IRRODL Volume 5, Number 3, ISSN 1492-3831 Publisher: Athabasca University Press
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to study the process used for selecting research areas and methodological approaches in distance education in India. Experts from the field of distance education in India were interviewed at length, with the aim of collecting qualitative data on opinions on process-issues for selecting areas for research, research design, and appropriate methodological approaches in distance education. Data collected from these interviews were subjected to content analysis; triangulation and peer consultation techniques were used for cross-checking and data verification. While the findings and recommendations of this study have limited application in that they can only be used in the specific context outlined in this paper, respondents in this study nonetheless revealed the pressing need for more process-oriented research in examining media and technology, learners and learning, and distance learning evaluation processes. Our research, which yielded interesting empirical findings, also determined that a mixed approach – one that involves both quantitative and qualitative methods – is more appropriate for conducting research in distance education in India. Qualitative evidence from our research also indicates that respondents interviewed felt that emphasis should be placed on interdisciplinary and systemic research, over that of traditional disciplinary research. Research methods such as student self-reporting, extensive and highly targeted interviews, conversation and discourse analysis, were determined to as useful for data collection for this study.
Citation
Passi, B. & Mishra, S. (2004). Selecting Research Areas and Research Design Approaches in Distance Education: Process Issues. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 5(3),. Athabasca University Press. Retrieved August 10, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/49764/.
References
View References & Citations Map- Berge, Z.L., and Mrozowski, S. (2001). Review of Research in Distance Education, 1990 to 1999. The American Journal of Distance Education, 15(3), 5 – 19.
- Chen, Y.J., and Willits. F.K. (1999). Dimensions of Educational Transactions in a Videoconferencing Learning Environment. The American Journal of Distance Education, 13(1), 45 – 59.
- Evans, T. (2000). The Strategic Importance of Institutional Research in Open Universities. Indian Journal of Open Learning, 9(1), 1 – 12.
- Ferrer, F. (1999). Some Thoughts on Trends in Educational Research. Prospects. IBE-UNESCO, 29(3), 409 – 422.
- Fulford, C.P., and Zhang, S. (1993). Perception of Interaction: The critical predictor in distance education. The American Journal of Distance Education, 7(3), 8 – 21.
- Gunawardena, C. (1995). Social Presence Theory and Implications for Interaction and Collaborative Learning in Computer Conferencing. International Journal of Educational Telecommunications, 1(2-3), 147 – 166.
- Kaul, L. (1997). Open and Distance Education. Fifth Survey of Educational Research 1988-92, Trend Reports. New Delhi: NCERT.
- McDonald, J., and Gibson, C.C. (1998). Interpersonal Dynamics and Group Development in Computer Conferencing. The American Journal of Distance Education, 12(1), 7 – 25.
- Mishra, S. (2002). Study of the Pocess-issues for organizing Research and Training in Distance Teacher Education. PhD Thesis. Utkal University., Bhubaneshwar, India. Passi & Mishra Selecting Research Areas and Research Design Approaches in Distance Education: Process issues 11
- Moore, M.G. (1995). The 1995 Distance Education Research Symposium: A Research Agenda. The American Journal of Distance Education, 9(2). Editorial.
- OUHK (1999): A Report of the OUHK 10th Anniversary Specialized Workshop on Institutional Research in Open and Distance Learning Held on Wednesday, 13 October 1999. Retrieved October 22, 2004 from: http://www.ouhk.edu.hk/cridal/10th.htm
- Panda, S.K., Satyanarayana, P., and Sharma, R.C. (1996). Open and Distance Education Research: Analysis and annotation. Indian Distance Education Association. Kakatiya University. Warangal.
- Powar, K.B. (2001). Research in Indian Universities. In Supervision of Research in Universities. New Delhi: Association of Indian Universities.
- Saba, F. (2000). Research in Distance Education: A Status Report. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 1(1). Retrieved May 18, 2004 from: http://www.irrodl.org/content/v1.1/farhad.html
- Saba, F., and Shearer, R.L. (1994). Verifying Key Theoretical Concepts in a Dynamic Model of Distance Education. The American Journal of Distance Education. 8(1), 36 – 59.
- Sahoo, P.K. (2001). Perspectives of Research in Distance Education and Professional Development of Teachers. In Jena, S., et al. (Ed.) (2001). Information and Communication Technology for Professional Development of Primary Education Personnel– International Workshop. New Delhi: DEP-DPEP, IGNOU.
- Sesharatnam, C. (1996). Research on Distance Education in Andhra Pradesh. In M.S. Rao (Ed.) Synergy Facets of Research in Open Learning. (P. 124-133). Hyderabad: Dr. B.R.
These references have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. Signed in users can suggest corrections to these mistakes.
Suggest Corrections to ReferencesCited By
View References & Citations Map-
Selecting Research Areas and Research Design Approaches in Distance Education: Process Issues
BK Passi & Sudarshan Mishra
The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning Vol. 5, No. 3 (Nov 01, 2004)
-
Networking to learn: blogging for social and collaborative purposes
Debra Hoven, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
EdMedia + Innovate Learning 2007 (Jun 25, 2007) pp. 1819–1828
These links are based on references which have been extracted automatically and may have some errors. If you see a mistake, please contact info@learntechlib.org.