Introduction

About the Primer:

This primer details several research designs that may be appropriate for demonstrating the effectiveness of educational and assistive technology tools. These sections are brief synopses of the parameters of each design, and links to resources are included throughout for those who want to learn more. The text is meant to be explored interactively, with hyperlinks back and forth throughout the primer, the NCTI website, and the other web resources. The reader is also referred regularly to other NCTI resources that address development issues in earlier steps toward commercialization of a product.

What’s Inside:

Research Designs

• Explore six research designs: usability, market, case study, single subject, quasi-experimental, and experimental
• Consider the “so what” and “for whom” questions for each design

Key Concepts

• Understand validity and reliability, as well as ethical considerations
• Learn about Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and the approval process

Resources

• Find tools and suggestions for reaching out to networks of researchers, working with professional librarians, and sources of funding

Why Use Research?

How can educational and assistive technology developers, manufacturers, and vendors position themselves to participate in credible research and stay current with new research in the field? Beyond the question of whether a product “works,” consumers and purchasers are now more focused on whether it improves academic achievement, heightens engagement with the curriculum, and can be integrated into the existing learning and IT environment. Since the 2001 passage of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which mandates that schools make purchases based on research evidence, those responsible for procurement in schools and districts, including product review teams, have been more likely to ask about the quality of research behind products under consideration. Therefore, working to integrate research into product development and delivery is an effective means of differentiating your products and service.