An investigation of distance education in North American research literature using co-word analysis

Authors

  • Albert Dieter Ritzhaupt University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Michelle Stewart University of South Florida
  • Patryce Smith University of South Florida
  • Ann E. Barron University of South Florida

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v11i1.763

Keywords:

Distance Education, Co-Word Analysis, Similarity Index Analysis, Themes, Trends

Abstract

The field of distance education is composed of a multiplicity of topics leading to a vast array of research literature. However, the research does not provide a chronological picture of the topics it addresses, making it difficult to develop an overview of the evolution and trends in the literature. To address this issue, a co-word analysis was performed on the abstracts of research articles found in two prominent North American research journals (N = 517), the American Journal of Distance Education and the Journal of Distance Education, between 1987 and 2005. The analysis yielded underlying trends and themes for three different periods (pre-Web, emerging Web, and maturing Web). Additionally, similarity index analyses were conducted across time periods. The pre-Web era was characterized by the need for quality and development. The emerging Web era was characterized by the development of theory. The maturing Web era was characterized by interaction and the use of tools for communication. The results demonstrate that the North American distance education research literature is characterized by having few consistent and focused lines of inquiry. Conclusions are provided.

Author Biographies

Albert Dieter Ritzhaupt, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Albert D. Ritzhaupt is an Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. His primary research areas focus on the development of technology-enhanced instruction, and technology integration in education. His publications have appeared in the Journal of Educational Computing Research, Computers & Education, Journal of Computing in Higher Education, Behavior Research Methods, and Computers in Human Behavior.

Ann E. Barron, University of South Florida

Ann E. Barron is a Professor in the Instructional Technology program at the University of South Florida. Her primary research areas include the use of audio in interactive learning and the integration of technology in K-20 education.

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Published

2010-03-05

How to Cite

Ritzhaupt, A. D., Stewart, M., Smith, P., & Barron, A. E. (2010). An investigation of distance education in North American research literature using co-word analysis. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 11(1), 37–60. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v11i1.763

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2010)

Section

Research Articles

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