DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH  Mitch Kielb  Juanita Tilgner  Andy Sen

Character of Research: Formal Systematic Study of Problems Research is predictive: -Yields hypotheses -Yields generalizations Research Types: - Basic research - Applied Research 3 Kinds of knowledge: -Descriptions of way of life -Systems & laws that describe society - Structural models of dynamic processes Developmental research: -Documentation of product development process - Evaluation of process

Type 1 Developmental Research: Study of a Specific Product or Program Purpose - Encourage replication Methods - Case studies and surveys Conclusio ns - Product specific Generaliza tions - Product improvemen ts - Conditions that promote success - Impact of product

Objectives  Production of knowledge  New design or development model  Generalizable to other similar situations and environments

Focus of Type 2 Research  Design  Development  Evaluation  Not necessarily the demonstration of the processes

Purpose of Type 2 Research  Emphasize a particular design technique or process  Uses a comprehensive design, development, or evaluation model  Utilizes a general examination of design and development as it is commonly practiced  Uniquely directed toward general principles

Nature of Conclusions of Research  Research is directed toward general principles which have wide applicability  Context / product specific  Context / product specific with some generalization  Generalization with some context / product specificity  Generalization

Summary of Issues / Conclusions  Evidence of the validity / effectiveness of a particular technique / model  Conditions / procedures that facilitate the successful use of a particular technique / model  Explanations of the successes or failures in using a specific technique or model

Summary of Issues / Conclusions (Contd.)  Synthesis of events and/or opinions related to the use of a specific technique or model  New or enhanced design, development, and/or evaluation model

Dimensions of Developmental Research  Type ( 1 or 2 ) of developmental research  Given design / development / evaluation model or process  Specific instructional product / program / process / tool  Generate general developmental principles or situation-specific recommendations

Types of Research Methods TypeDocumentation of development process Primary research methods Type 1YesCase study / evaluation Type 2SometimesSurvey / experimental / evaluation / qualitative

Innovations in Developmental Research  Influence of cognitive science  Influence of constructivism  Designer Decision-making processes  Knowledge acquisition tools  Automated development tools

Design and Designer Decision Making  Typically Type 2 research  Understand the fundamental aspects of the design process  Produce design models that match actual design activity  Impact of various design environments on designers  Qualitative and survey

Techniques for Knowledge Acquisition  Typically Type 2 research  Content identification and analysis  Produce new content analysis tools and procedures  Determine optimal conditions for usage  Use design tasks created specifically for research  Qualitative

Automated Instructional Design Tools  Type 1 or Type 2  Type 1: Develop new tools and evaluate the impact of materials developed on learners  Type 2: Produce and test tools that can change design procedures  Descriptive and observational

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