At a crossroads? Comparative and international education research in Asia and the Pacific

Abstract

PurposeHistorical studies of comparative education have been available and utilised in Europe and North America to justify and legitimise comparative and international education research in present day contexts (Cowen; Masemann et al.; Psacharopoulos; Schriewer). However, a review of the literature of comparative education research in Asia and the Pacific discloses that very little is known about its own history, purpose, or direction. The aim of this paper is to explore the idea that part of this circumstance stems from the fact that these fields of study are often perceived as undefined.Design/methodology/approachThis analysis suggests that in the Asia and Pacific region, research in comparative and international education is generally perceived as narrowly defined.FindingsThis article points out that the “fields” differ in terms of paradigmatic representation but are both change‐dependent, and that while comparative education research does not necessarily require an international dimension to it, international education must contain comparative elements for critical analysis and reflection.Originality/valueThe first study of its kind to review the history of comparative education research in the region.