Why Educational Research is of Limited Use to the Community

Abstract

It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the subject, that the history of research in education is replete with dismal instances of irrelevance and confusion. A casual study of a journal series over an extended period of time frequently reveals that much (some would say most) of the research that is done is ill-conceived, methodologically unsound, and of little consequence for the urgent business of improving the educative process. Especially appalling is the extent to which some investigations are intentionally esoteric and far removed from the mundane reality of educating real people for the pursuit of a quasi-adequate existence in the real world. It is the thesis of this paper that educational research is in drastic need of a new and different perspective. At least a portion of this need may be attributed to the fact that the research endeavor, except in rare instances, has become so damnably expensive. The cost of doing a first-class experimental study is at times far in excess of any discernable benefits which might result from the conclusions. Still another influential factor is the recent demand for accountability in all facets of education receiving public support. A shocking revelation was recently offered by Boffey (1975) to the effect that approximately 50 per cent of scientific data is unusable because it is either wrong or so meagerly supported that readers cannot judge its reliability. While the article was primarily concerned with research in the natural sciences, it is probable that the phenomenon is accentuated in education due to the greater constraints placed on adequate controls. Additionally, a sense of optimism prompts those who do not engage in educational research to hope that what researchers do will ultimately shed some light on the treacherous footpath to improved teaching and learning. Needless to say, the very nature of the problems selected for study at times reveals that this concern is not generally shared by those persons actively engaged in the