ERIC Number: EJ873859
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Mar
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1556-1607
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Toward a Dialectic Relation between the Results in CSCL: Three Critical Methodological Aspects of Content Analysis Schemes
Clara, Marc; Mauri, Teresa
International Journal of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, v5 n1 p117-136 Mar 2010
The research field of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) includes a large variety of approaches which present significant theoretical and methodological differences. This diversity complicates the articulation of the knowledge that is produced within this investigative framework. The paper addresses this problem from a dialectic view. We propose that the main reason for this problem is not the theoretical and methodological diversity itself, but rather the difficulty of situating one specific result within this diversity in a way that makes dialectic relations between results visible and mutual transformation of the approaches possible. In the present paper, we propose a set of indicators, applicable to content analysis approaches, aimed to facilitate this reciprocal positioning of the results in the field. These indicators come from what we term "critical methodological aspects": those aspects of the methodological infrastructure that are directly related to theoretical positions. We consider three critical methodological aspects in content analysis schemes: the units of analysis, the relations to be established, and the dimensions of analysis. Indicators regarding these aspects are proposed and defined, and their use for facilitating dialectical relations between results is exemplified by means of the examination of five specific approaches.
Descriptors: Research Methodology, Content Analysis, Research Problems, Educational Assessment, Teaching Methods, Cooperative Learning, Electronic Learning, Computer Mediated Communication, Computer Assisted Instruction
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
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Language: English
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