Predictors of Swedish Teachers’ Attitudes and Willingness towards Research-based Teaching: Results of a Survey Study

Abstract

Teachers´ and special educators’ attitudes towards research-based work differ but remains poorly understudied. This study predicts Swedish teachers´ and special educators´ attitudes towards (a) research-based work and (b) inviting researchers to schools. The data comes from a survey with a convenience sample of more than 300 teachers and special educators. The analysis combines methods such as: factor analysis, bootstrapped linear regression, and ordinal regression. Theoretically, this study derives predictions from professional capital theory. First, the results show how teachers and special educators differ in attitudes towards research-based work. Second, the results show how teachers with greater social capital have a higher probability of willingness to invite researchers to the school. This study concludes support for professional capital theory.