Validating a research idea can be a long and challenging process, it seems. As a graduate student learning the ways of the education and learning technology researcher, I often find myself in deep contemplation over what areas of learning actually require scientific investigation and how I can best use existing literature to reveal relevant research ideas.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, July 29th<\/sup>, 2020, I had the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Dr. George Veletsianos, from Royal Roads University, to learn more about the academic research process, in a general sense. During the session, one of my classmates asked a question pertaining to how researchers can best explore a research area that is relatively undeveloped. This question largely reflected that of my own, so naturally, I was quite interested in Dr. Veletsianos\u2019 response.<\/p>\n Dr. Veletsianos described the literature review process to be somewhat like peeling the layers of an onion. At the core lays a fundamental research idea, perhaps a specific research question. In this instance, my classmate wanted to explore how Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies can be harnessed to create transformative learning experiences for students \u2013 this concept represents the core of the onion. But what do you do when you cannot find any data on transformative learning experiences through AR and VR in the literature? Well, as Dr. Veletsianos explained, the researcher must look to the peripheral layers of the onion to reveal more information. The question becomes more about the broader perspectives on transformative learning in AR and VR; perhaps there is existing literature on learning in VR and AR, in general, that would reveal key insight.<\/p>\n If no useful information is extracted in the layer beside the core, the researcher must explore the next layer of the onion. In this instance, what might be closely linked to learning experiences in AR and VR? Dr. Veletsianos explored various ideas such as \u201ctraining in VR\u201d or \u201csomething else that is connected to transformative learning but not necessarily VR \u2026 maybe some other technology that is closely related\u201d (Veletsianos, 34:46). By exploring this layer of the onion, the researcher begins to get a sense of what other people have studied and what information has been found on the topic from a higher-level perspective. These understandings may reveal whether or not other researchers have already looked into the core research question and may possibly indicate if scientific exploration of the core idea is justified.<\/p>\n Dr. Veletsianos goes on to explain how the investigation of the outer layers of the onion can reveal commonly used research methodologies that can related to the core research idea. Most specifically, he claims case studies, in relation to emerging learning technology research, to be helpful in determining which methodologies have been used, what research questions have been asked, how much research has taken place, and what related research has been conducted (Veletsianos, 36:15).<\/p>\n In sum, determining where your research idea fits into the grander scale of scientific inquiry comes down to not only analysing the core research inquiry, but also reading beyond the core idea. In my classmate\u2019s case, they will have to look into literature beyond the realm of transformative learning and into the specific technologies (AR and VR) and learning theories to generate usable insight. The culmination of readings will hopefully translate into a well-founded research idea that \u201cbrings all the literature together\u201d (Veletsianos, 37:00).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n References<\/p>\n