Re-Examining the Methodology of Research on Media and Technology in Education.

Research on media and technology in education appears in many forms and styles. The results of this research so far has been quite disappointing, in that researchers have failed to point out the difference between research on media and research with media. Research also has tended to become highly specific, thus losing representativeness. A conflict between better control over specific variables and representativeness could be solved by some new research methods. In field studies a pseudo-experimental design or a staged innovative design allow research to be conducted in naturalistic surroundings. In strictly experimental studies the rotation design and the ecological design can be used. The major theme of these techniques is to move media research out of its traditional either internal-or-external validity conflict toward better and more fruitful research. (JY)