This article reviews the origins and use of the terms quasi-experiment and natural experiment. It demonstrates how the terms conflate whether variation in the independent variable of interest falls short of random with whether researchers find, rather than intervene to create, that variation. Using the lens of assignment--the process driving…

The randomized control trial (RCT) is the primary experimental design in education research due to its strong internal validity for causal inference. However, in situations where RCTs are not feasible or ethical, quasi-experiments are alternatives to establish causal inference. This paper serves as an introduction to several quasi-experimental…

Teaching chemistry and biology students about biologics design remains challenging despite its increasing importance in pharmaceutical development. Monoclonal antibodies, commonly called mAbs, are the most popular biologics. They have been developed into drugs to treat various diseases in the past decades. Multiple challenges exist for designing…

Students as partners (SaP) is becoming an increasingly common notion in higher education , but we continue to grapple with questions around how to best involve our students with the work we do as educators. Queries around responsibility, accountability and trust are raised when considering SaP. Participatory action research is presented from an…

The literature review is a pivotal component in educational research studies, serving as a bridge between existing knowledge and the research being undertaken. This article examines the multifaceted role and function of the literature review from a pragmatic perspective, highlighting its significance in advancing knowledge and informing…

The design of applied linguistic interventions to deal with large-scale language problems involves processes that are both intentional and deliberate. Though they range from the highly innovative to the conventional, applied linguistic designs are not necessarily disruptive. The design process is characterized by five phases, with possible…

In the field of educational technology and instructional design, research methods are emerging that aim to curate different forms of knowledge and insights beyond traditional research studies, or what Reigeluth and An (in Reigeluth and Carr-Chellman (eds) Instructional-design theories and models: Building a common knowledge base, Lawrence Erlbaum…

The five SEERNet digital learning platforms (DLPs) present unique opportunities for researchers by offering tools, processes, and infrastructure to make research more efficient, scalable, and relevant. However, conducting research within a DLP may require a shift in a researcher's orientation or mindset in how they think about potential research…

Though previously unacknowledged, a SMART (Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial) design uses both regression discontinuity (RD) and randomized controlled trial (RCT) designs. This combination structure creates a conceptual symbiosis between the two designs that enables both RCT- and previously unrecognized, RD-based inferential claims.…

This paper addresses the current debates, anxieties, and perceptions around the idea of scholarly artistic research within doctoral studies, internationally and in South Africa. A common point of contention, both in South Africa and in the international arena, is the reluctance within institutional structures and external bodies to accept…

Qualitative thematic analysis is a commonly used and widely applicable form of qualitative analysis, though it can be challenging to implement. Due to its use across research questions, qualitative traditions, and fields, thematic analysis is also prevalent in mixed methods studies. Despite its widespread use, the term "thematic…

We describe an innovative, semester-long course in biology and communication skills for master's degree students in biostatistics. The primary goal of the course is to make the connection between biological science and statistics more explicit. The secondary goals are to teach oral and written communication skills in an appropriate context for…

Educational Design Research (EDR) employs a diverse range of methods to study learning, teaching, design, and technology--and new ones are shared in this special issue. We contend that a focus on methods inherently requires examination of the questions they are used to answer and the ways in which the resulting findings advance scientific…

Hamdani et al. recently provided guidance for prospective authors on a wide range of issues encountered in quantitative research papers submitted for review at the "Journal of Management Education." Building on their insights, this essay focuses on experimental designs and provides more specific guidance and recommendations for…

A critical revisiting of research methods with multilingual learners raises issues of validity that are often unaddressed in current discussions of research quality. Though validity is conceptualized and assessed differently across research traditions, validity broadly describes the production of findings that are credible and trustworthy. The…