Research For Distance Education

Explore the methodologies, tools, and techniques essential for conducting research in distance education, enhancing your understanding of educational research paradigms, data analysis, and effective reporting.

Research For Distance Education

1 Introduction to Educational Research- Purpose, Nature and Scope

  1. Sources of Knowledge
  2. Purpose of Research
  3. Nature of Research
  4. Meaning of Educational Research
  5. Scope of Educational Research

2 Research Paradigms in Distance Education

  1. Research Paradigms in Distance Education
  2. Approaches to Distance Education Research
  3. Research Areas

3 Research in Distance Education

  1. Reviewing the Review
  2. Growth of Distance Education
  3. Distance Learners
  4. Instructional Processes
  5. Economics of Distance Education

4 Formulation of Research Problems

  1. Sources of Identifying a Problem
  2. Definition of the Problem
  3. Hypothesis
  4. Hypothesizing in Various Types of Research

5 Methods of Educational Research

  1. Empiricism
  2. Phenomenology
  3. Critical Paradigm

6 Philosophical and Historical Method

  1. Philosophical Method
  2. Philosophical Inquiry: Main Steps
  3. Historical Method
  4. Historical Research: Main Steps
  5. Main Features of Historical Research

7 Naturalistic Inquiry and Case Study

  1. Naturalistic Inquiry
  2. Naturalistic Method: Main Steps
  3. Issues Regarding Trustworthiness and Objectivity in Naturalistic Studies
  4. Case Study Method
  5. Scientific Nature of Case Study Method

8 Descriptive, Experimental and Action Research

  1. Descriptive Research
  2. Experimental Research
  3. Action Research
  4. Types of Descriptive Research
  5. Designs of Experimental Study

9 Methods of Sampling

  1. Concept of Population and Sample
  2. Methods of Sampling
  3. Characteristics of a Good Sample
  4. Probability Sampling
  5. Non-Probability Sampling

10 Research Tools-I

  1. Scaling in Educational Research
  2. Characteristics of a Good Research Tool
  3. Types of Tools and their Uses
  4. Questionnaires
  5. Rating Scale

11 Interview, Observation and Documents as Tools

  1. Interview
  2. Observation
  3. Documents

12 Data Collection

  1. The Concept of Data
  2. Methods of Data Collection
  3. Ensuring the Quality of Data
  4. External and Internal Criticism of Documents

13 Types of Data

  1. Types of Data: Quantitative and Qualitative
  2. Quantitative Data
  3. Qualitative Data
  4. Measures of Central Tendency
  5. Graphical Presentation of Data
  6. Analysis of Quantitative Data
  7. Analysis of Qualitative Data

14 Statistical Testing of Hypotheses

  1. Classification of Statistical Tests
  2. Parametric Tests
  3. Non-Parametric Tests
  4. Sampling Distribution of Means
  5. Applications of Parametric Tests
  6. Applications of Non-Parametric Tests
  7. Factor Analysis

15 Reporting Research

  1. Why and How to Write a Research Report
  2. The Beginning
  3. The Main Body
  4. The End
  5. Writing Style
  6. Typing and Production

16 Evaluating Research Reports

  1. Criteria for Evaluation of Research Reports
  2. Introductory Chapter: Building the Rationale
  3. Review of Literature
  4. Objectives and Hypotheses
  5. Choice of Research Design
  6. Research Instrumentation
  7. Sample
  8. Data Collection and Analysis
  9. Findings and Implications
  10. Referencing
  11. Annexures

17 Computer for Data Processing

  1. Definition of Computer
  2. Computer Hardware
  3. Computer Software
  4. Data Processing
  5. Using Computer for Data Processing

18 Basics of MS Word 97

  1. Starting Word
  2. The Parts of a Word Window
  3. Word Menus and Commands
  4. Working with Documents
  5. Formatting Text and Paragraphs
  6. Mail Merge
  7. Using Graphics and Tables
  8. Styles and Autoformat

19 Basics of MS Excel 97

  1. Getting Started
  2. Parts of a Worksheet
  3. Creating a New Worksheet
  4. Selecting Cells
  5. Excel’s Chart Features
  6. Essential Worksheet Functions
  7. AutoSum

20 Data Management, Analysis and Presentation

  1. Features of SPSS for Windows
  2. Get Yourself Acquainted with SPSS
  3. Basic Steps in Data Analysis
  4. Defining, Editing, and Entering Data
  5. Running a Preliminary Analysis
  6. Understanding Relationships Between Variables
  7. Non-Parametric Tests
  8. SPSS Production Facility
  9. Statistical Analysis System (SAS)
  10. Introducing NUDIST