Pondering Educational Research
by
Trish Carlson
CEP 822
August 17, 2010
Those of us in education are inundated with research. Everyone is looking for that elusive magic pill that will cure all that ails us. But should we consider all research to be equal? Of course not! So then what should we consider when it comes to deciding if it is “good” research or not? How do you justify a great new piece of information that you just found to others? Well, I certainly do not have all of the answers to that million dollar question, but let me share with you a few things to consider when looking at research, as well as a bit of what I have learned through my latest master level class, Approaches to Educational Research, through MSU in Michigan.
• Good research isn’t just about methodology, but rather it’s about what’s important, and this CAN and SHOULD change.
• Educational research is both historically and nationally contextual—meaning who the “clients” are is not static nor do answers hold forever.
• Good educational research is not philosophical, but empirical, or based on observations.
• Research can and often does involve money. Consider who is collecting the money and ask yourself why? Are the results being over-sold or even under-sold?
• What is the researchers track record? In what areas do they have expertise? Did they get their hands dirty with the research itself, or did they sit back and simply observe?
• How often is the word “all” or “always” or “never” written into the narrations? How often should anyone use those words?
Obviously people will always disagree about what good educational research is, which is why bad research will always be out there and readily available, and why good research will look all the better to you once you are able to make a distinction between the two. However, even with bad research, there is likely still something to be learned, even if it’s a matter of knowing and deciding which researchers it is that you need to steer clear from the next time you are looking for quality reading material. Simply put, just don’t swallow that “pill” just because it might have the word “research” tagged in it without careful consideration, you could choke.
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