Research Priorities in Educational Technology: A Delphi Study

For which topic were research priorities identified?

educational technology

In which location was the research priority setting conducted?

North America - USA

Why was it conducted at all?

The question is "what research will most benefit educators and where should research efforts be directed?". The call for research in educational technology is clearly evident, but there is a need for a framework for that research.

What was the objective?

to determine research needs in educational technology over the next five years

What was the outcome?

a ranking list of 85 research topics

How long did the research prioritization take?

No information provided.

Which methods were used to identify research priorities?

Delphi

How were the priorities for research identified exactly?

Step 1: Delphi round 1: participants were asked: What should the research priorities for educational technology over the next five years be?. Step 2: data processing: thematic analysis: statements arranged in categories. Step 3: Delphi round 2: participants were asked to rate research statements and categories as to research need, and asked to rank major research categories in order of perceived importance. Step 4: Delphi round 3: participants were asked to re-rate and re-rank based on group mean ratings and rankings

Which stakeholders took part?

Educational technology experts. 30 participants.

How were stakeholders recruited?

Former Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology (PT) Grant Directors throughout the United States were e-mailed an invitation to participate.

Were stakeholders actively involved or did they just participate?

Stakeholders were mere participants of the research prioritization process; they were not actively involved in the process.