The Prevalence of Convenient Sampling in Online Learning Research: An Investigation Into Sampling Trends and Implications in Research on Social Presence and Online Learning

• In Event: Salient Issues in Web-Based Learning

Abstract

Research on online learning continues to grow. However, too many studies focus too much on convenient samples rather than investigating online learning in a variety of contexts. In this study, we present the results of our investigation into sampling trends in an effort to illustrate how the sampling decisions made by researchers of online learning can be limiting what we “know” about online learning.

Authors

• Patrick R. Lowenthal, Boise State University

• Ross A. Perkins, Boise State University