Valuation of Design-Based Research as an Innovative Methodology in Research on the Construction of Knowledge at University

Abstract

organized in the following way: first, the methodology of design-based research is described; secondly, research carried out with this methodology is detailed; thirdly, the implemented designed in the research is specified, and finally, a valuation of design-based research is presented as a valuable and appropriate tool for research that seek both to refine the psychological theory and to enlarge educational practice. Analyses on applied research design have allowed us to extend comprehension on acquisition processes and on the use of academic knowledge in university students. In addition, we value design as promoter for significant and self- regulated learning processes, and as booster for motivation, for academic development, and for the distribution of cognition in the physical and social environment. Lastly, we may indicate that design allowed us to identify instructional problems that prevent academic learning The twofold intention of the article consists of describing the methodology of design-based research and of detailing the main aspects of research carried out with the aforementioned methodology. In this research we study the problem of the construction of academic knowledge and its use by students of education programs at the Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (Argentina), from the field of the Educational Psychology. The article is