Educational Research: Core Concepts

Core Concepts in Educational Research

• Research aims to uncover new information or validate existing ideas.
• Scientific research is a structured, controlled, empirical, and critical study of natural phenomena, often utilizing coordinated systems.
• A concept is a reference to a consistent phenomenon or an indicator of variance in quantity, intensity, or amount.
• Constructs are interconnected ideas enabling generalization from specific observations to broader concepts.
• A hypothesis is a speculative statement about the relationship between two or more variables.
• A problem statement articulates an identifiable epistemic claim.
• A variable is a symbol representing numerals or values that can change.
• Attributes represent sets of characteristics or traits.
• A theory is a framework of interrelated hypotheses, concepts, constructs, definitions, and propositions, presenting a systematic view of phenomena based on evidence and observation.
• Typology provides a framework for categorizing phenomena based on shared characteristics.
• Models serve as copies, replicas, or analogies, differing from the actual thing in some way.
• A paradigm is a framework containing assumptions and a design for data collection and interpretation.

Understanding Research

• Research is a intellectual pursuit examining a subject.
• Research uses systematic and methodical investigation skills.
• Research is a detailed examination, especially when looking for new information in any subject area.
• Generalizing to broaden knowledge requires the manipulation of objects, ideas, or symbols.
• A well-organized, methodical search for solutions to inquiries is research.
• Research involves careful study using scientific (systematic/logical) methods to address a specific issue or problem.
• Research is a methodic investigation used to explain, forecast, and regulate observed phenomena.
• Searching for any type of new knowledge requires careful examination.
• Acquiring new knowledge in any field requires a methodical approach.

Purpose of Research

• Research helps to discover the real meaning of knowledge.
• Research provides ways to improve how things are done and how well products are made.
• Human knowledge is enhanced through inductive/deductive methods.
• Creating new theories or modifying, accepting, or rejecting existing ones requires help.
• Research is the process of looking for knowledge.
• Research offers a scientific way to tackle any challenge.
• Solving human problems requires the development of new theories.

Focus of Educational Research

• Discovering or revising facts, theories, and applications related to teaching and learning is the goal.
• Developing the science of behavior in educational settings is important.
• Education experts can more effectively achieve their educational objectives.
• Finding answers to educational issues using a scientific philosophical approach is key.
• Systematically and scientifically resolving educational challenges is needed.
• Understanding, explaining, predicting, and managing human behavior within the educational context is key.

Reasoning Methodologies in Research

• Generalizations in research require inductive or deductive reasoning.
• Understanding a situation from specific to general involves inductive reasoning, analyzing observed phenomena subjectively.
• Deductive reasoning involves thinking from general principles to specific conclusions, objectively verifying observed phenomena.