RESEARCH - MEANING ,DEFINITION ,CHARACTERISTICS

Educational Research

Meaning.

 Educational research refers to a systematic attempt to gain a better understanding of the educational process, generally with a view in improving its efficiency. It is an application of the scientific method to the study of educational problems.

Definitions.

1. Good. “Educational research is the study and investigation in the field of education.”

2. Munroe. “The final purpose of educational research is to ascertain principles and develop procedures for use in the field of education.”

3.Mulay. “Any systematic study designed to promote the development of education as a science can be considered educational research.”.

4. Crawford. “Educational research is a systematic and refined technique of thinking, using special tools in order to obtain a mere adequate solution to a problem.”

5. J. W. Best. “Educational research is that activity which is directed towards the development of a science of behaviour in educational situations. The ultimate aim of such a science is to provide knowledge that will permit the educator to achieve his goals by the most effective methods.”

6. W. M. Traverse. “Educational research is that activity which is directed towards the

Development of science of behavior in educational situations.”

Characteristics.

1.      Educational research is directed towards the solution of a problem in the field of education. It may attempt to answer a question or to determine the relation between two or more variables.

2.      It emphasizes the development of generalizations, principles or theories that will be    helpful in predicting future occurrences.

3.       Educational research usually goes beyond the specific objects, groups or situations

Investigated and infers characteristics of a target population from the sample observed.

4. Educational research involves getting new data from primary or first       hand sources or  using existing data for a new purpose.

4.      Educational research accepts only what can be verified by observation. Certain interesting questions do not tend to research procedures.

5.      Although a research activity may at times be somewhat random and unsystematic, it is more often characterized by carefully designed procedures, always applying rigorous analysis. Although trial and error are often involved, research is rarely a blind, shotgun investigation trying something to see what happens.

6.      Research strives to be objective and logical, applying every possible test to validate the procedures employed, the data collected, and the conclusions reached. The researcher attempts to eliminate personal bias.

7.      Research requires expertise. The researcher knows what is already known about the problem and how others have investigated.

8.      Educational research involves the quest for answers to unsolved problems. Pushing back the frontiers of ignorance is its goal and originality is frequently the quality of a good research project.

9.      Educational research is based on insight and imagination. It needs the service of a man who looks beyond the present.

10.  Educational research requires an interdisciplinary approach. It is related to the study of complex relations about facts.

11.  Educational research is not so exact a research as physical science. In the latter, we can control the events but in educational research, it is not possible.

12.  Educational research has a great field. Educational psychology, educational philosophy, methodology, class organization and management, child development and other subjects are the fields of research in education.