S CIENTIFIC I NQUIRY Introduction to EDL 880 Jeffrey Oescher, Ph.D.
Q UALITY C ONTROL I SSUES Serious concerns about the credibility of educational research The National Research Council’s report entitled Scientific Research in Education (2002) Two questions related to educational research Should it be scientific? Should it be evidence-based Both questions were answered with a resounding “YES!”
Q UALITY C ONTROL I SSUES What does scientific inquiry mean? Inquiry guided by six principles Pose significant questions that can be investigated empirically Link research to a relevant theory or conceptual frameworktheory Use methods that allow direct investigation of the research question Provide a coherent and explicit chain of reasoning Replicate/generalize or extend across studies Disclose research to encourage professional scrutiny
Q UALITY C ONTROL I SSUES What 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 manner The term empirical implies the data… Directly addresses the research question Is collected through appropriate means Is analyzed appropriately Provides objective information
Q UALITY C ONTROL I SSUES Can educational research be scientific evidence- based inquiry? YES!!!