Research Methods Using Computer Networks

Deakin University, Burwood Campus Faculty of Education 221 Burwood Highway Burwood, Victoria 3125 Australia gduckett@deakin.edu.au INTRODUCTION The collection of data has always been a major difficulty in doing survey-based research. The advent of global computer networks connecting millions of people opens new possibilities and creates new problems for such research. In this paper we wish to first address means of doing collaborative research using computer networks and, second, describe a method for collecting and disseminating data through computer networks. DISTANCE-BASED COLLABORATION In 1991, two of the authors of this paper (Mitchell and Paprzycki) began a collaborative research project dealing with the use of computer networks in education (1,2). Since both were faculty members at the same institution (UTPB), this effort was done in the "traditional" manner of collaboration. Because the collaborative work dealt with computer networks, it seemed logical to use that medium as a means of exchanging information (manuscript drafts, notes, references, etc.) when one of the authors (Mitchell) moved to Minnesota. Three papers (3, 6, 7) and two notes (4, 5) as well as a number of presentations were prepared using this method of collaboration.