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DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH |
| Introduction Technology Issues and Decisions Phase I: Color Preference Test Phase II: Shades of Difference Phase III: Website Preferences Phase IV: Alternative Presentations of Identical Content
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Research by others supported both the need for dissemination of research as well as the dissemination design of this project. Dinham and Scott (2001) examined the dissemination of doctoral research, finding not only that most research is not shared with the targeted audience but also that students are not taught how to disseminate their research. Hundt (2000) looked at the process of disseminating research findings both verbally and textually. In research, the questions, data, and findings are often understood in different ways, frequently resulting in contested discourse. A study by Saywell and Cotton (1999) supported the need for improved dissemination as it looked at the research dissemination process and barriers to effective dissemination. The challenge of dissemination thus becomes the improving of accessibility of research findings to those who need the information. A model for planning dissemination strategy is included in the article. The research by Taylor (2001) most closely mirrored the dissemination design of this study in his Website Evaluation Project's sharing of its research in a website that includes multiple pages with content on methodology, guidelines for best-practices in online research dissemination, and key research activities. This website, demonstrating the research process as well as reporting research results,aims to promote an evaluation process that will enable websites to be improved as a medium for communicating research. A body of literature that is
especially interesting and apropos comes from archeology. Carroll and
Marable (1999) found that publishing archeological information on
the web has many of the same problems associated with publishing other
research on the web. Along with the technical issues such as data standards
and file formats are the often overlooked issues of web site accessibility
and design. They believe that users are handicapped in finding information
if they cannot easily find their way around the site or if the information
is not easily downloadable. Their research discusses the processes used
in the development of useful and accessible web sites that deliver substantive
information. Sanders (1999) and Learning Sites, Inc. use the development
of a 3D computer model of the Northwest Palace of Ashur-nasir-pal II in
Nimrud as the basis for the discussion of how the site was developed and
the image rendered. Sanders raises the question of how do you define author,
publisher, and content creator in this blurring of responsibilities resulting
from collaboration. People other than the researcher have become instrumental
in the dissemination of information as close collaboration is needed between
the researcher, the digital designers, and the publisher in order to produce
text, graphics, and organizational layouts. Since this process is so different
from traditional print methods, new techniques are needed for crediting
authors and illustrators as well as handling peer review and bibliographic
citations. The collaboration and discussions
of the research team, as well as supporting research,led to the belief
that dissemination research in the manner of this study is both viable
and effective. Many decisions about the research design were made during
this process. In Phase 1, a paper-distributed questionnaire was used to
gather data, but the latter three phases were conducted as online experiments
in which websites were used as the test interfaces. Careful consideration
was given to the graphics chosen as the means of conveying the results
of the tests. Various chart and graphs were created before choosing the
most effective means of displaying the information. Technical aspects
were also based on much discussion and consideration. As a result,script
and dissolving images were used in some phases of the design.
To better distinguish the questionnaire from the text, the research team set different
backgrounds for each part of the study--using gray for the questionnaires and a darker
color such as deep blue for the text. Images were carefully selected
to make sure that they were both visually appealing and an aid to the
dissemination process. The organization of the content also underwent
many revisions as the team attempted to determine the most logical way
to present the information for ease of use and understanding. The research
team also used a control sheet for time on task
to monitor the various costs of the study. The final product thus becomes
a true collaborative effort with an emphasis on dissemination. BibliographyProject C.O.P.E.: Content,
Organization, Preference, Evaluation
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