Suggestions for Future Research
Many important aspects of digital credentialing remain underexplored, and this lack of evidence has limited how fully badge issuers have implemented current standards—ultimately reducing the benefits that earners could receive from digital credentials. Future work should build on the strengths of prior Badge Count surveys while broadening research methods and encouraging practices that enhance data transparency and quality across the ecosystem.
Enhancing the Badge Count Survey
Recommendations in this category focus on improving the scope, quality, and consistency of future survey iterations.
- Increase participation and data coverage: Build sustained engagement with badge platform providers to improve representativeness, comparability, and accuracy of reported data.
- Refine survey design and data validation: Maintain consistency across survey years while adapting to new standards and practices. Include fields that clarify data scope, such as whether totals include duplicate issuers or badges.
- Track ecosystem trends over time: Monitor badge volume, issuer participation, and adoption of Open Badges 3.0, CTDL, and CLR to provide consistent insights into how the credential ecosystem is evolving.
Expanding Research Methods
These suggestions highlight new or complementary approaches beyond the survey itself.
- Leverage structured data for ongoing research: Use standards such as CTDL, Comprehensive Learner Record, and Open Badges 3.0 to support automated or registry-linked data collection, reducing reliance on self-reporting.
- Examine stakeholder perspectives: Conduct qualitative and mixed-methods studies on how badges are designed, interpreted, and valued by earners, employers, and institutions.
- Assess learner and workforce outcomes: Investigate how digital credentials affect mobility, employment, and access to opportunities across sectors to ensure inclusivity and relevance.
Improving Field Practices to Support Research and Transparency
Changes in field practice can strengthen both digital credentialing and the evidence base that supports it.
- Adopt and apply common standards: Encourage consistent implementation of Open Badges 3.0, CTDL, and Comprehensive Learner Record standards to improve interoperability, transparency, and comparability of data.
- Increase data sharing and discoverability: Support open reporting through registries such as the Credential Registry, enabling ongoing analysis of credential ecosystems.
- Promote quality in credentialing: Develop shared indicators of quality and ensure accessibility, affordability, and inclusion in digital credential practices to enhance both impact and research validity.