Quality Control Issues

Quality Control IssuesSerious concerns about the credibility of educational researchThe National Research Councils report entitled Scientific Research in Education (2002)Two questions related to educational researchShould it be scientific?Should it be evidence-basedBoth questions were answered with a resounding YES!

1Conducting research in education is a relatively new idea. In 2002 the National Research Council produced a report entitled Scientific Research in Education. This report set forth the standards by which educational research is conducted today. These standards can be summarized in just four words scientific evidence-based inquiry. What do these words mean?Quality Control IssuesWhat does scientific inquiry mean?Inquiry guided by six principlesPose significant questions that can be investigated empiricallyLink research to a relevant theory or conceptual frameworkUse methods that allow direct investigation of the research questionProvide a coherent and explicit chain of reasoningReplicate/generalize or extend across studiesDisclose research to encourage professional scrutiny

2When we speak of research as scientific in nature, we suggest it is guided by the six principals identified on this slide. As you read each of these, I am sure you will begin to understand the rigor brought to the research process if these guidelines are followed.For just a moment, I want you to look carefully at the second guideline linking research to a relevant theory or conceptual framework. This is of particular interest to me, because it implies all educational research must relate in one way or another to theory. In some cases, like those of Jean Piaget or Benjamin Bloom, research was undertaken to generate new theories about how children learned. Im sure most of you have heard of Piagetian Learning Theory or Mastery Learning. In other cases, research was conducted to test the ideas being proposed in such theories to be sure they were sound. This research had as its purpose the validation of theory. Obviously, both generation and validation are important. I find it very comforting to realize that the National Research Council has recognized the critically important role of theory in research.

Quality Control IssuesWhat does evidence-based inquiry mean?Inquiry reflecting the systematic gathering of empirical data The term systematic implies the study is conducted in a sound, logical mannerThe term empirical implies the dataDirectly addresses the research questionIs collected through appropriate meansIs analyzed appropriatelyProvides objective information

3Research must be scientific in nature, but it must also be evidence-based. This term implies that 1) research must be conducted in a logical manner that is readily apparent to those reading it, and 2) the evidence or data that is collected and analyzed in the study is obtained in an appropriate, systematic manner. Quality Control IssuesCan educational research be scientific evidence-based inquiry?

YES!!!

4Is scientific evidence-based inquiry difficult to conduct? The answer is yes! Disciplines like education where researchers must involve human beings in complicated settings present unique difficulties, but it is possible to conduct such educational research that is characterized as scientific evidence-based inquiry. The US Department of Educations What Works Clearinghouse is a great example of scientific evidenced-based information related to character education and middle school math programs. The current School Improvement Plans used in Louisiana is another example of such inquiry. How does one go about conducting research to ensure it is scientific and evidence-based in nature?