The identification and acceptance of discipline-specific research problems and subsequent related theory is not a random process dependent only on the interests of individual theorists. Discusses the nature of agenda building--background and definitions and agenda building processes; and application of principles in instructional…

Discusses the need for changes in education and considers possible reasons why information technology has not brought about desired changes. Highlights include assimilating new technologies into existing instructional practices; technocentric knowledge, which focuses on the computer rather than knowledge; and misguided research. (LRW)

Develops generalizations for empirical evaluation of software based upon suitability of several research designs--pretest posttest control group, single-group pretest posttest, nonequivalent control group, time series, and regression discontinuity--to type of software being evaluated, and on circumstances under which evaluation is conducted. (MBR)