Week 6: Design-based research

What is design-based research?

 

"Design-based research integrates the development of solutions to practical problems in learning environments with the identification of reusable design principles" (Herrington et al, 2007)

Issues

Kolodner (2001) states that education researchers have been "grappling with issues in methodology". She argues that the problems with Ethnography lie in the breadth of data collection without regard for the goals, and that Interaction Analysis is also problematic as it too fails to address analysis goals.

Herrington et al (2007) argue that educational technology research "has sought to demonstrate the achievement gains of technology-facilitated learning over conventional methods of teaching with little regard for an understanding of how or why the gains might have been realized". But they also believe that "future progress in improving teaching and learning through technology can be realized through design-based research as an alternative model for inquiry in the field of educational technology.

"Many research proposals begin with an introduction to an area of study, and a description of what the study will do. However, for  design-based research in education, the identification and exploration of a significant educational problem is a crucial first step. It is this problem that creates a purpose for the research, and it is the creation and evaluation of a potential solution to this problem that will form the focus of the entire study... The statement of the problem in design -based research should identify an issue or an opportunity, explore its history or  background, and provide a convincing and persuasive argument that this problem is significant and worth researching. This includes articulating both the practical and scientific relevance of the study." (Herrington et al, 2007)

Carrying out design-based research

 

"Edelson (2006) commented on the assumptions of design-based research, pointing out that: "It begins with the basic assumption that existing practices are inadequate or can, at least, be improved upon, so that new practices are necessary. The underlying questions behind design research are the same as those that drive innovative design:

• What alternatives are there to current educational practices? 
• How can these alternatives be established and sustained? (p.103) (Herrington et al (2007)

 

 Both diagrams taken from Herrington et al (ND) http://personal.crocodoc.com/tQ573CK

Examples of design based research  

http://www.personal.psu.edu/mdm392/blogs/design/2010/09/carrying-out-design-based-research.html

More info on design-based research

http://www.personal.psu.edu/axg251/blogs/instructional_design_and_higher_education/2011/09/

References:
Kolodner, J. L. (2001). A Note From the Editor. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 10 (12), p. 1-4.