Studying teachers in social network sites : a review of methods

Journal article


Kelly, Nick, Mercieca, Bernadette and Mercieca, Paul. (2021). Studying teachers in social network sites : a review of methods. Review of Education. 9(3), pp. 1-29. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3272
AuthorsKelly, Nick, Mercieca, Bernadette and Mercieca, Paul
Abstract

Social network sites are being widely used by teachers, and this phenomenon has been studied extensively. Yet the knowledge base supporting policy and practitioner decisions around the implementation and facilitation of these sites remains underdeveloped. This paper suggests that one reason for this lies in a mismatch between the methods that are being used in studies of teachers in social network sites and the claims that are being made. It looks towards stronger claims within this domain of research by presenting an integrative review of empirical studies (N = 96) which investigate teachers in social network sites, with a focus upon the methods that they employ. An integrative review is conducted to find studies that look at early childhood, primary, and secondary teachers’ use of Facebook, Twitter, and other social network sites. The paper analyses the sample sizes, data sources, and forms of analysis that are used in these studies and discusses their suitability to the claims that are being made. It characterises the methods used in the included studies and makes five methodological recommendations regarding: (1) data about groups to be included when reporting studies and consistency of terminology; (2) frameworks for analysis; (3) re-use of research instruments and coding schemes; (4) approaches to sampling to avoid self-selection and bias; and (5) framing of claims to be more precise in nature. It suggests steps that might be taken to move towards stronger claims within this domain through convergent validity.

Keywordsteacher education; Facebook; Twitter; social network site; social media; community of practice; professional development
Year01 Jan 2021
JournalReview of Education
Journal citation9 (3), pp. 1-29
PublisherWiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. (UK)
ISSN2049-6613
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3272
Web address (URL)https://bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/rev3.3272
Open accessPublished as non-open access
Research or scholarlyResearch
Page range1-29
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online27 Aug 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted28 Apr 2020
Deposited25 Nov 2024
Additional information

© 2021 British Educational Research Association

Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
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https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/9113z/studying-teachers-in-social-network-sites-a-review-of-methods

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