Shih, ML; Feng, J; Tsai, CC Research and trends in the field of e-learning from 2001 to 2005: A content analysis of cognitive studies in selected journals COMPUTERS & EDUCATION, 51 (2): 955-967 SEP 2008

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: cctsai at mail.ntust.edu.tw 

Author(s): Shih, ML (Shih, Meilun); Feng, J (Feng, Jui); Tsai, CC (Tsai, 
Chin-Chung) 

Title: Research and trends in the field of e-learning from 2001 to 2005: A 
content analysis of cognitive studies in selected journals 

Source: COMPUTERS & EDUCATION, 51 (2): 955-967 SEP 2008 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Author Keywords: e-learning; cognition; research trend; journal analysis 

Keywords Plus: INSTRUCTIONAL-TECHNOLOGY; METACOGNITIVE TOOLS; WEB; 
INTERNET; KNOWLEDGE; EDUCATION; SCIENCE; COMMUNICATION; CONSTRUCTION; 
PRODUCTIVITY 

Abstract: This paper provided a content analysis of studies in the field 
of cognition in e-learning that were published in five Social Sciences 
Citation Index (SSCI) journals (i.e. Computers and Education, British 
Journal of Educational Technology, Innovations in Education and Teaching 
International, Educational Technology Research & Development, and Journal 
of Computer Assisted Learning) from 2001 to 2005. Among the 1027 articles 
published in these journals from 2001 to 2005, 444 articles were 
identified as being related to the topic of cognition in e-learning. These 
articles were cross analyzed by published years, journal, research topic, 
and citation count. Furthermore, 16 highly-cited articles across different 
topics were chosen for further analysis according to their research 
settings, participants, research design types, and research methods. It 
was found from the analysis of the 444 articles that "Instructional 
Approaches," "Learning Environment," and "Metacognition" were the three 
most popular research topics, but the analysis of the citation counts 
suggested that the studies related to "Instructional 
Approaches," "Information Processing" and "Motivation" might have a 
greater impact on subsequent research. Although the use of questionnaires 
might still be the main method of gathering research data in e-learning 
cognitive studies, a clear trend was observed that more and more studies 
were utilizing learners' log files or online messages as data sources for 
analysis. The results of the analysis provided insights for educators and 
researchers into research trends and patterns of cognition in e-learning. 
(c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 

Addresses: Natl Taiwan Univ Sci & Technol, Grad Sch Technol & Vocat Educ, 
Taipei 106, Taiwan; Fo Guang Univ, Dept Learning & Digital Technol, Jiaosi 
26247, Yilan County, Taiwan 

Reprint Address: Tsai, CC, Natl Taiwan Univ Sci & Technol, Grad Sch 
Technol & Vocat Educ, 43,Sec 4,Keelung Rd, Taipei 106, Taiwan. 

E-mail Address: cctsai at mail.ntust.edu.tw 

Cited Reference Count: 54 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD 

Publisher Address: THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 
1GB, ENGLAND 

ISSN: 0360-1315 

DOI: 10.1016/j.compedu.2007.10.004 

29-char Source Abbrev.: COMPUT EDUC 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Comput. Educ. 

Source Item Page Count: 13 

Subject Category: Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications; 
Education & Educational Research 
ISI Document Delivery No.: 317IQ 

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