Review of research in distance education, 1990 to 1999

Abstract This review examines the research literature in distance education over a ten‐year period from 1990 to 1999. Using four prominent, peer‐reviewed, English‐language distance education journals and the dissertation abstracts that were related to the field of distance education, the authors found 1,419 total articles and abstracts. Only those articles reporting a research methodology (n = 890) were included in this study. A categorization system based on Sherry (1996) was used to categorize the content. The patterns across journals and dissertation abstracts indicated a predominance of pedagogical issues being researched. Three‐fourths of the articles and dissertations used a descriptive methodology. Implications for reviews such as this include that, while they can not correct sloppy or short‐sighted research, they can begin to address gaps in past distance education research. They can dramatically show the need for a research agenda and future vision in the field of distance education.