What are the research methods of educational science?
Observation method:
Observation is a common method in educational science research. According to a certain purpose and plan, researchers systematically and continuously observe the research object under natural conditions, and make accurate, specific and detailed records, so as to comprehensively and correctly grasp the situation to be studied.
The general steps of observation method are:
(1) Make preparations in advance and make an observation plan. First, have a general understanding of the observed object, and then determine the purpose, content and focus of observation according to the characteristics of the research task and object. Finally, make the whole observation plan and determine the steps, times, time, recording paper, forms and instruments used in the whole observation process.
(2) Carry out actual observation as planned. In the process of observation, it is generally carried out in strict accordance with the plan, and temporary arrangements can be made when necessary. When observing, you should choose the most suitable position, concentrate on it and make records in time;
(3) Organize materials in time, summarize and process a large number of scattered materials, delete all wrong materials, and then analyze typical materials. If there are any omissions, correct them in time, and the materials reflecting special circumstances will be handled separately.
Investigation method:
Investigation method is a method that researchers systematically master a large number of first-hand materials through personal contact and extensive investigation, and on this basis, analyze and synthesize, study the history, present situation and development trend of educational practice, and find scientific conclusions to guide educational practice. Investigation is generally carried out in the natural process, and materials reflecting research phenomena are collected through interviews, surveys, questionnaires and tests. Investigation is often combined with observation, historical research and experiment.
The steps of the investigation method are as follows:
(1) Prepare, select the survey object, determine the survey scope, and understand the basic situation of the survey object; Study relevant theories and materials, draw up investigation plans, forms, questionnaires and talk outlines, and plan investigation procedures and methods as well as various necessary arrangements;
(2) Investigate as planned, collect materials through various ways, and adjust the plan according to the actual situation when necessary to ensure the normal development of the investigation;
(3) Organize materials, study the situation, including classification, statistics, analysis and synthesis, and write an investigation report.
Historical law:
Historical jurisprudence emphasizes the decisive role of a country's historical tradition and national characteristics in education, and pays attention to collecting educational historical documents of the studied country extensively, identifying and sorting out historical materials, analyzing and comparing the occurrence and development process of education in the studied country, and finally drawing corresponding conclusions.
Comparative method:
Comparative method is a method to compare and study different manifestations of an educational phenomenon in different periods, different social systems, different places and different situations, so as to reveal the universal law of education and its special manifestations. When using comparative method, we should pay attention to social and economic system, political system, historical tradition, scientific and technological level, cultural development level, educational theory and its reflection in practice. And define comparable indicators. Therefore, we can correctly grasp the basic trend of education development in a certain country and make clear what we can learn from it.
The steps of comparison method are:
(1) description, which accurately and objectively describes the external characteristics of the educational phenomenon to be compared, and provides necessary data for further analysis and comparison;
(2) Sorting, that is, sorting the collected relevant information, such as making statistical data, explaining, analyzing and evaluating, establishing comparison standards, etc.
(3) Comparison: Compare and contrast the data, find out the similarities and differences, and put forward suggestions for rational use. The use of comparative method should be coordinated with other methods.
Statistical methods:
Through observation, testing, investigation and experiment, a large number of data materials are statistically classified in order to obtain the results of quantitative analysis of the educational phenomena studied. This is the application of mathematical statistics in education. In the practical work of education, it is often used to describe statistical research, such as sorting out a large number of data from experiments or surveys, finding out the distribution characteristics of these data, and calculating the concentration trend, divergence trend or correlation coefficient. And simplify a large number of data to find out the information conveyed. At the same time, inferential statistics can be further used, that is, the information obtained by descriptive statistics can be used to infer the local overall situation. In addition, with the development of statistics in recent decades, experimental design has been put forward, which requires that the relationship between independent variables and dependent variables listed in the design be tested in more rigorous experimental research.
Statistical methods are generally divided into two steps:
(1) Statistical classification: sorting out data, making it into a system, classifying statistics, and making statistical tables or charts;
(2) quantitative analysis; Find out the concentration trend by calculating the data.
Types of research methods in educational science
There are different classification standards for research methods of educational science.
(1) According to the universal applicability of educational scientific research, it is divided into philosophical methodology, interdisciplinary methodology and specific subject methodology.
The methodology of educational science belongs to the methodology of specific disciplines under the guidance of philosophical methodology.
(B) According to the purpose of the study
1, basic research
Answering the question "Why" aims at exploring innovative knowledge and expanding and perfecting the theory. Such as: research on the basic principles of education. Teaching process, moral education process and other theories.
2. Applied research
What is the answer? The purpose is to solve practical problems with relevant theories.
3. Development research
The answer is "how to improve", aiming at finding strategies to improve education.
4. Comparative and evaluation studies
The answer is the question of how. The purpose is to judge the relative value of some educational goals and activities by collecting and analyzing data.
5. Forecast research
The answer is "what will happen in the future". The purpose is to analyze the future development prospects and trends of things.
(3) According to the research method.
1. Historical research answers "What was the past?" . The purpose is to understand the ins and outs of things, explain the present and predict the future.
2. Descriptive research answers "What is the actual situation?" . The purpose is to describe the current situation.
3. Relevant and comparative research answers the question "Are educational phenomena related or similar?" . The purpose is to reveal the correlation and seek the difference.
4. The experimental study answered the question whether there is a causal relationship between specific educational measures and effects. The purpose is to reveal the causal relationship between educational phenomena.
5. Theoretical research answers "What is the essence and essential relationship of educational phenomena". The purpose is to reveal the law of education through analysis, synthesis, abstraction and generalization.