ABSTRACT

This study identified trends and patterns of theory use in open and distance learning research by examining the research articles published in open and distance journals between 2009 and 2018. A content analysis of 1,393 articles in open and distance learning journals was conducted. Theory use is characterised as a situation in which an author uses a theory to explain the research variables in the article and answer the research questions. The findings showed that 385 theories were used in 366 articles that were published in five open and distance learning journals. The theories that were mainly used were those from related disciplines such as education, social sciences and information systems. There has been an increase in theory use among open and distance learning journals over the years. Since theory advances research and scientific discipline, and predicts what will or could be, the importance of awareness of the role of theory in research should be highlighted and the growth in theory use in open and distance learning research should be intensified.

摘要

本研究通过检查 2009 年至 2018 年间在开放和远程学习期刊上发表的研究文章，确定了开放和远程学习研究中理论运用的趋势和模式。对开放和远程学习期刊上的 1,393 篇文章进行了内容分析。理论运用是指作者使用理论来解释文章中的研究变量并回答研究问题的情况。调查结果显示，五种开放远程学习期刊上发表的 366 篇文章中使用了 385 种理论。主要使用的理论来自教育、社会科学和信息系统等相关学科。多年来，开放和远程学习期刊对理论的使用有所增加。由于理论推动了研究和科学学科的发展，