Theme 3: Quantitative Methods

In this weeks reading, Lowenthal and Leech's article, Mixed Research and Online Learning,  discusses the advantages of using mixed research methods as opposed to one method in order to conduct research on online learning. The article mentions that many past studies on online learning are flawed in the sense that they are comparing online learning with face-to-face learning, which is essentially like comparing apples to oranges, they just aren't the same. Another problem Lowenthal and Leech mention as to the methods that prior people have used to gain insight into online learning "have failed to employ robust research designs or control for extraneous variables (3)." They also claim that although survey data and content analysis have their place in online learning research, they do not cover all the bases. They suggest implementing design based research to get a more thorough view on the subject.

Lowenthal and Leech's description of mixed methods was predominantly the use of quantitative and qualitative methods. They called it the "third paradigm" and that it should be considered in situations when it is appropriate. It does make sense to me that in order to get a more comprehensive view of something, you should look at it from as many angles as possible.

I believe the main reason for this article was not so much directed at online learning, but at how to best go about using mixed research as it is quite a difficult task. So their article was basically to bring many thoughts of conducting mixed research together in one paper to hopefully aid in promoting it as a viable research method.

The other reading from Cleveland-Innes and Campbell focused more on actual quantitative research done in regards to online learning and emotions. In their article, Emotional presence, learning and the online learning environment, they sought to understand the connections experienced during online learning. What I found interesting is that they could take emotional responses and turn it into data. As they mentioned, emotions are part of the human experience but its hard to see them as something that can be measured.Their hope was to have more thorough results in regards to online learning because they chose to incorporate emotions which many others do not see as affecting ones ability to learn. Their first phase took a more qualitative approach by analysing conference transcripts in phase 1 and a more quantitative approach in phase 2 by using an online survey. Their results did indicate the presence of emotions between both teachers and students when it concerns learning online.