Past research in instructional technology: Results of a content analysis of empirical studies published in three prominent instructional technology journals from the year 2000 through 2004

Abstract

Abstract This article reviews and categorizes empirical studies related to instructional technology that were published in three prominent journals: Educational Technology Research and Development, Instructional Science, and the Journal of Educational Computing Research from the year 2000 through 2004. Four questions guided this review: 1) What instructional technology research topics have been conducted? How do these topics fluctuate over the five years? 2) What types of research methods have been applied? How do these research methods fluctuate over the five years? 3) What data collection methods are prevalent in instructional technology research? How do these data collection methods fluctuate over the five years? and 4) In what settings have instructional technology research been conducted? How do these settings fluctuate over the five years? Based on these findings, we discuss current research trends and possible implications for which future research in instructional technology research can take.