Digital Educational Research: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Video Illustrations

• In Event: Differing Approaches to Mixed- and Multimethod Research

Abstract

Although visual anthropology is a well-established subfield in anthropology and many anthropological methods have been utilized by qualitative- and mixed-methods-oriented educational researchers, visual anthropology has not had much of an impact on qualitative or mixed-methods inquiry, or any other type of educational research, for that matter. Furthermore, despite its impact on the culture beyond the ivory tower, video, in general, has not played much of a role in the doing and/or reporting of education-related studies. This paper explores what would be gained and lost if researchers began to use video in the doing and/or reporting of their research. This paper/presentation will use clips from four author-developed research videos to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages associated with educational researchers “going digital.”

Authors

• Peter A Shaner, University of San Diego

• Robert B. Donmoyer, University of San Diego