Factors to Consider When Conducting Research in Online Education

Online education presents researchers with an unparalleled tool for collecting data. Research topics in online education may include assessing student learning in online courses; improving online course development and design; and conducting online quasi-experimental or experimental studies. There are several advantages of conducting research in online education. These include the ability to access large numbers of potential study participants; access to geographically dispersed populations; speed of participant recruitment and response; and cost effectiveness. Additionally, research in online education could be conducted across disciplines. Traditional research methodology may be utilized in online education. Appropriate methodology includes online interviews (synchronous or asynchronous); utilization of focus groups; and the distribution of questionnaires and other survey instruments. There are several approaches to recruitment of study participants in online education research. One approach offers those who have access to a certain course or courses the ability to take part in the study and another may be a more selective approach which may target specific groups of participants enrolled in online courses. Conducting online research also requires the incorporation of ethical considerations such as obtaining study approval through an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and informed consent from study participants. Currently, we are conducting two quasi-experimental studies to assess student learning in online Natural Sciences courses. In the first study, recruitment of study participants took place among students enrolled in six sections of an online Natural Sciences course. Students were greatly interested in participating in the study as 94% of the students provided informed consent. A second study explored the impact of online learning activities on students' views of the nature of science, particularly since these activities replaced traditional lab-based experiments. Data sources included pre- and post-surveys, student submissions, and online discussions. Study outcomes identified learning activities that best supported student learning, and these findings formed course design and delivery in subsequent terms. Conducting research in online education may be a valuable resource in assessing and promoting student learning in online courses.