The Role of the Visualization tool DIA2 in supporting STEM researchers, educators, and administrators

• Autores: Jeremi S. London, Ann Mckenna, Wen Huang, Andreea Molnar, Samantha N. Cruz
• Localización: The International journal of engineering education, ISSN-e 0949-149X, Vol. 34, no. Extra 3, 2018, págs. 1104-1119
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The impact of federally supported STEM education research is difficult to document, because knowledge resulting fromresearch is deeply embedded in complex networks of social interactions, structures and artifacts. DIA2 is a web-basedsearch and visualization tool designed to make knowledge associated with NSF-funded projects more accessible to theSTEM education scholarly community.No studieshave communicated itsvalue to the community it was designed to serve.This study investigates users’ perceptions of DIA2’s usefulness for carrying out teaching, research, and administrativeduties. Using a qualitative interpretivist approach, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 89 principalinvestigators on NSF-funded grants. We used thematic analysis, and interpreted the results using the DistributedCognition and the Affordances of Information and Communications Technology frameworks. Results indicated tenways DIA2 is valuable for carrying out a spectrum of routine scholarly activities, including initiating researchcollaborations, preparing promotion and tenure documents, and informing strategic decisions. With increased accessi-bility to the knowledge DIA2 provides, we are better equipped to characterize the impact of federally supported STEMeducation R&D.