Notions of design, research, and design research in the field of educational technology are quite different from conceptualizations held by other design fields. Examining the ways that research is conducted and used in educational technology in comparison to other design fields can provide novel insights into how research and design practice can be better integrated. These insights may extend the conceptualization of design research beyond the typical model of scholarly research, and suggest implications for instructional design curriculum, pedagogy, and future research.