[on behalf of Geraldine Gray]
*Call for Papers: An Embarrassment of Riches: Special Section on
Methodological Choices in Learning Analytics*
*Journal of Learning Analytics (JLA
<http://learning-analytics.info/journals/index.php/JLA/announcement/view/129>)*
AIMS & SCOPE
Learning analytics is an interdisciplinary and inclusive field that brings
together technologists, psychologists, data scientists, learning
scientists, educational domain content experts, and measurement
specialists. For all of the strength that comes from such diversity, there
are also potential pitfalls when it comes to establishing norms for
methodological work. Clow (2013) has described learning analytics as, “a
‘jackdaw’ field of enquiry, picking up ‘shiny’ techniques, tools and
methodologies… This eclectic approach is both a strength and a weakness: it
facilitates rapid development and the ability to build on established
practice and findings, but it—to date—lacks a coherent, articulated
epistemology of its own.” For this special section, we call on researchers
to focus critical attention on the methods we choose to use, on how we use
them, and on how we interrogate these uses in learning analytics.
TOPICS OF INTEREST
We imagine two broad classes of papers, those that take a deep dive into
particular use cases and others that take a field-level view on how we
should think and talk about methodology in learning analytics.
Papers in the first category should be distinguished from tutorials and
from applied research papers in the degree to which they investigate the
methods themselves. Manuscripts should incorporate multiple data sets
(possibly supplementing real data with simulated data), multiple variations
of methodology within a dataset, or both. Topics may include, but are not
limited to:
• demarcating assumptions, limitations, and practical boundaries of
applicability,
• exploring quality of fit, sensitivity, consequences of
operationalization, etc.
• addressing pitfalls, trade-offs, and consequences of “misuse”
• metrics for model evaluation and for comparison of results where multiple
models are used
Topics for papers in the second category (field-level) may include, but are
not limited to:
• Processes for developing methodological frameworks for learning analytics
• Framing and prioritizing methodological issues for the community
• Community guidelines regarding communication and replicability
• Transferability of methods for different types of data
TIMELINE
Optional abstract pre-submission (see submission procedure below): August
1, 2017
Deadline for submissions: October 15, 2017
Anticipated publication date: Summer, 2018
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
Prospective authors are encouraged, though not required, to submit an
abstract of at most 300 words to the special issue editors in advance in
order to ascertain fit for the special section. The editors will reply to
authors of submitted abstracts with feedback within two weeks. Final
submissions will take place through JLA’s online submission system at
http://learning-analytics.info
When submitting a paper, select the section “Special Section:
Methodological Choices in Learning Analytics”.
All submissions should follow JLA’s standard manuscript guidelines and will
undergo peer review.
For any additional questions, please contact yoav.bergner@xxxxxxx
GUEST EDITORS
• Yoav Bergner, New York University (USA)
• Geraldine Gray, Institute of Technology-Blanchardstown (Ireland)
• Charles Lang, Teachers College, Columbia University (USA)
