RESEARCH IN EDUCATION
Research- Meaning
The word research is derived from the French word “re cherche” meaning “to travel
through”. Research is the orderly investigation of a subject matter for the purpose of adding to
knowledge. Research can mean, ' re-search ' implying that the subject matter is already known but,
for one reason or another, needs to be studied again. The term research is not a compact way of
spelling 're - search ' for it is not merely a search repeated, it is an intellectual activity which brings to
light new knowledge or corrects previous errors and misconceptions and adds in an orderly way to
the existing knowledge.
Research is the application of scientific knowledge in the Study of problems. It is a
systematic attempt to find out answers to meaningful questions or events or phenomena through
the application of scientific procedures. It can be defined as an objective, impartial, empirical and
logical analysis and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the development of
Theories, principles, generalizations, etc.
Definitions
Redman and Mory - “systematized effort to gain new knowledge.”
Travers - “Research is an activity directed towards the development of an organized
body of scientific knowledge about the events with which educators are concerned.”
Polit – “A systematic enquiry that uses disciplined methods to answer questions or solve
problems.”
Clarke and Clarke – “Research is a careful, systematic and objective investigation
conducted to obtain valid facts, draw conclusions and establish principles regarding an
identifiable problem in some field of knowledge.
Need and Significance of Research
It inculcates scientific and inductive thinking
Develops logical thinking
Helps in expansion of knowledge
Provides the basis for Government policies
Helps to solve various problems of business and industry
Seeks answers to various social problems
Improves standard of living
Reveals the truth
Characteristics
Research is directed towards the solution of a problem
It emphasizes the development of theories, principles generalizations
It is based on observable experience or empirical evidence
It requires expertise from the part of the investigator
It requires accurate observation and description
It is characterized by patient and unhurried activity
It is carefully recorded and reported
It sometimes requires courage.
It is Logical and Objective.
It gathers new knowledge
It is highly purposive
Research usually involves hypothesis
Educational Research
It is a systematic attempt to gain a better understanding of the educational process, generally with a
view to improving its efficiency; it is the application of scientific method to the study of educational
problems. Since education is a behavioral science its major concern is to understand, to explain, to
predict and to control human behavior. Therefore it tries to understand the behavioral pattern of
students, teaching conditions and teaching process in order to produce desired aspects of learner
behavior.
Characteristics of Educational Research
Educational research attempts to solve a problem
It cannot be scientific to that extent
It needs imagination and insight as much as scientific attitude.
Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence but it is not exact and
empirical as research in physical sciences
It requires an interdisciplinary approach
It comes out of a desire to do things better.
It is not the field of experts only. But it requires expertise in familiarity with the field,
competence in methodology, technical skill in collecting and analyzing data.
It generally requires inexpensive materials
Research demands accurate observation and description.
Need and scope of Research in Education
Research in education helps the teachers to become more efficient in their tasks. For effective
teaching mastery of the subject matter is not sufficient; he has to understand his students and select
proper teaching methods, communication strategies, etc. Research economizes effort, prevents
wastage, increases efficiency and reacts to vitalize and dignify the work of the teacher.
Problems in research in education are innumerable They can be variously classified under different
heads such as: curriculum, text books and syllabus, child development, skills, guidance and
counseling, methods of teaching, equipment’s and aids in teaching, history of education, philosophy
of education etc. each of these fields offers a number of problems for research.
TYPES OF RESEARCH
Research can be classified under two broad categories: basic or fundamental research and applied
research.
1. Basic, Pure or fundamental research: Fundamental Research refers to the study that is aimed
at expanding the existing base of scientific knowledge. It is designed to add to an organized
body of scientific knowledge and does not necessarily produce results of immediate practical
value. It is completely theoretical; it is generally concerned with the development of theories,
principles and generalizations. It is closely related to the researches in physical sciences and
represents a rigorous and structured type of analysis. It emphasizes control and precision and
gives less attention to direct application of results in the field of education.
In the field of education, discovery of such useful concepts as motivation, reinforcement,
concept formation in learning theories are the result of fundamental type of research. . Work on
topics like ' stages of development ', ' role of heredity and environment ' etc. belong to this type
of research.
2. Applied research: Applied Research is the research that is designed to solve specific practical
problems or answer certain questions. The goal of applied research in terms of adding
scientific knowledge acquires a secondary position. It aims at testing of theories, principles
etc. in the actual setting. It uses scientific method of inquiry but not as rigorous as in
fundamental research. Its findings are evaluated on the basis of local applicability and not in
terms of universal validity. Research on topics like effects of various devices on learning, use of
text books, parental co - operation, library and laboratory facilities etc. belongs to this category.
Differences between Basic and Applied Research
Basic Research Applied Research
aimed at expanding the already existing base of Designed to solve specific practical problems or
scientific knowledge answer certain questions.
Nature- Theoretical Practical
Utility- Universal Limited/local
Concerned with developing scientific knowledge Concerned with development of technology and
and theories technique
Goal- To add some knowledge to the existing To find solution for the problem at hand
one.
