Table I

Percentage of journal articles in the three levels of research area in 2005 and 2015

Percentage of articles
Research area2005 (n=106)2015 (n=182)Difference
Macro-level: distance education systems and theories18.915.9−3.0
 1. Access, equity, and ethics4.76.01.3
 2. Globalization of education and cross-cultural aspects3.81.1−2.7
 3. Distance teaching systems and institutions6.62.2−4.4
 4. Theories and models1.93.31.4
 5. Research methods in distance education and knowledge transfer1.93.31.4
Meso-level: management, organization, and technology35.840.14.3
 6. Management and organization8.54.4−4.1
 7. Costs and benefits1.91.6−0.3
 8. Educational technology5.79.33.6
 9. Innovation and change0.93.32.4
10. Professional development and faculty support7.55.5−2.0
11. Learner support services3.81.6−2.2
12. Quality assurance8.514.35.8
Micro-level: teaching and learning in distance education45.344.0−1.3
13. Instructional design25.521.4−4.1
14. Interaction and communication in learning communities13.28.2−5.0
15. Learner characteristics5.714.38.6*

Note: *p<0.05, two-tailed

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