The importance of being thorough: On systematic accumulations of 'what works' in education research

Journal of Philosophy of Education 42 (s1):15-39 (2008)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

This article outlines and appraises the considerable criticism of educational research, both in the United Kingdom and in North America, and shows how it has pointed to a narrowing of what counts as good or worthwhile research in the policy discourse. In particular, this involved prioritising research that purports to show clearly and unmistakably 'what works', and institutionalising this view of research in a range of centres that receive official approval. The article, though recognising the fruit of such centres, challenges the epistemological basis of such a narrowing of what counts as research, and, in doing so, analyses what is meant by evidence, the different kinds and strengths of evidence and the consequent need to democratise the search and appraisal of evidence in the constant refinement and criticism of the evidence.

Other Versions

No versions found

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 98,386

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Analytics

Added to PP
2009-01-28

Downloads
104 (#177,265)

6 months
10 (#311,469)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Citations of this work

Education(al) Research, Educational Policy-Making and Practice.Charles Clark - 2011 - Journal of Philosophy of Education 45 (1):37-57.
The Future of Teacher Education.Alis Oancea & Janet Orchard - 2012 - Journal of Philosophy of Education 46 (4):574-588.
The Future of Teacher Education.Janet Orchard Alis Oancea - 2012 - Journal of Philosophy of Education 46 (4):574-588.

Add more citations

References found in this work

After virtue: a study in moral theory.Alasdair C. MacIntyre - 1984 - Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press.
Language, truth and logic.Alfred Jules Ayer - 1936 - London,: V. Gollancz.
Democracy and education : An introduction to the philosophy of education.John Dewey - 1916 - Mineola, N.Y.: Macmillan. Edited by Nicholas Tampio.
Experience and education.John Dewey - 1997 - West Lafayette, Ind.: Kappa Delta Pi.
The Idea of a Social Science.Peter Winch - 1959 - Les Etudes Philosophiques 14 (2):247-248.

View all 13 references / Add more references