Educational research studies learning patterns in schools and educational programs. Data is collected through tests and documentation, and can also involve social science methodologies. The aim is to understand how educational practices affect students and improve education. Standardized tests are commonly used, but criticized for not assessing all factors affecting a student’s education. Researchers also consider the educational system in its social context to make informed improvements. However, educational research does not always account for systemic crises.
Educational research is the study of behavioral patterns related to learning in schools and other educational programs. Typically, data are collected for this type of research by examining the products of existing educational practices using tests and other documentation. It is also possible to carry out educational research using methodologies associated with the social sciences, such as anthropology and sociology. The aim of educational research is to study how educational practices affect students, often with the idea that understanding the link between education and learning can help students learn. Given that youth education is almost always important to the successful continuation of a society, this is an area in which many different institutions have a significant interest.
Standardized tests in schools are a common way of evaluating the success of a current educational program. These tests assess student aptitude on a regular basis, allowing researchers to determine which areas need improvement. There are significant criticisms from teachers and others that the standardized test does not only assess the quality of a student’s education, which is also affected by the student’s parenting, economic status and ability. Those who conduct educational research continue to use this data to make determinations about changing educational policy because it is a traditional and relatively easy-to-use form of statistical data.
Another way of carrying out educational research is to consider the educational system in its social context. A person conducting this type of work might consider how to integrate the educational experience into the student’s larger life or the effect of parenting on the student’s educational success. This type of research requires detailed field work, specific to small areas, although it is possible that the results can be applied more broadly.
Educational research is primarily concerned with strategies used in the classroom by teachers and broader policies employed by an educational institution. Typically, researchers are interested in big changes, such as changing the schedule of a school day or compensating teachers in a certain way. Minor strategies such as disciplining students or teaching a particular subject are also considered, but are generally left to the teacher’s discretion.
Most people interested in educational research are interested in improving education in general. By understanding how education currently works, it may be possible to make informed improvements to the system. Unfortunately, education is not an isolated system. While educational research often effectively assesses how well people learn in education systems, it does not always help to make policies that account for systemic crises.
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