A Bibliometric Exploration of the Qualitative Research Literature in Distance Education Using a Network Approach

• In Event: 47.081 - Systematic Reviews, Thematic Syntheses, and Gap Analyses in Online, Distance, and Blended Learning

Abstract

Abstract: Following repeated calls to ground the research surrounding distance education in theory, we engaged in a bibliometric exploration of the extant literature in order to determine the degree to which the field has been responsive to these calls. We focused on describing the trends—theoretical as well as methodological—of recent (2016-2018) qualitative scholarship in distance education, and we used network methods to explore connections within published work, established theories, and qualitative methodologies. We found that although the field has been responsive to the critique that the work has been atheoretical, that response lacks cohesion. That is, individual studies are theoretically grounded, but the field is over-reliant on case studies and has not identified a cohesive theoretical foundation.

Authors

• Sara E. Wolf, Auburn University

• Carey E. Andrzejewski, Auburn University

• Kristine Nicole Forney, Auburn University