There are many methods of educational research, among which observation, investigation, experiment, literature, comparison and experience summary are the most basic methods of educational research. Mastering these methods is the premise for primary and secondary school teachers to carry out educational research, and it is also the necessary knowledge structure to guide students to carry out research-based learning.
So how to guide students to use various methods appropriately and flexibly?
The method is determined by the research object, and different research objects should adopt corresponding research methods. Therefore, when choosing research methods, we should first consider the research objectives. According to a person's cognitive process, scientific research can be divided into three types: basic research, applied research and development research. The main purpose of basic research is to know the unknown, discover universal laws and form development theory.
For example, in the study of Chinese reading, the basic theory can focus on the psychological structure of reading process, the factors affecting reading comprehension, and the information processing mode in reading comprehension process. The commonly used methods are historical method, literature method and other speculative methods. Applied research is a research that uses theoretical knowledge such as general laws and principles obtained from basic research to solve specific problems in practical work and life. For example, the study of Chinese reading can include teaching strategies to improve students' reading ability, the formulation of reading ability measurement tools, and the improvement of Chinese reading teaching by using multimedia technology. Generally, empirical methods such as observation, investigation, finding reasons and prediction are adopted. Development research is to further promote the research results and expand its influence and value on the basis of basic research and applied research. For example, the promotion of Chinese reading teaching software. Generally, research methods such as experiment, comparison and measurement are adopted.
Secondly, according to the specific content of the study and the characteristics of various research methods, it should be used flexibly and appropriately. In research, a scientific research method is often used together with other scientific research methods, so that each method has its own advantages and complements each other.
For example, in the research of the topic "Taicang Supermarket's WTO entry prospect", in order to understand the basic operating conditions of Taicang Supermarket, mathematical methods such as data statistics and table analysis are adopted; In order to understand the views of Taicang citizens on Taicang supermarket and their prospects for the future, questionnaires, interviews and other survey methods were adopted. In order to make Taicang supermarket face more fierce competition after China's entry into WTO, it is necessary to make a comprehensive summary of the current supermarket management. In a word, the goal and content of this project determine that many scientific research methods must be used, mainly investigation.
Finally, when choosing research methods, we must also pay attention to the following questions:
(1) method is scientific. If you choose a measurement method, you should avoid logical loopholes. For example, in experimental research, the subjects are often tested before and after the experiment with volume A and volume B, and the results of the two tests are used to illustrate the role of the experiment. However, when using Volume A and Volume B, the pre-test often affects the post-test, and the data difference between the two tests may not be brought by the experiment, so the results of these two tests are not scientific and rigorous enough. So when doing experiments, in order to reduce the error, we must control the variables. For another example, some so-called intelligence tests and ability tests are often unscientific in the compilation of test questions, which makes intelligence and ability measurements become knowledge measurements, so the questionnaire design in the questionnaire survey should pay attention to rigor and science.
(2) Feasibility of the method. It is necessary to consider whether this method can be operated and it is convenient to operate. The feasibility of this method is usually determined by subjective and objective conditions. Objective conditions refer to the necessary information, equipment, time, funds, technology, manpower, theoretical preparation and other conditions. Subjective conditions refer to the original knowledge, ability, foundation, experience and expertise of researchers. We should weigh our own conditions to find the combination point and choose research methods that can give full play to our own advantages and specialties.
Some people are good at practical operation and don't have to choose theoretical research; On the other hand, some people are good at theoretical thinking and don't have to choose experimental research, but different people in a project collaboration group have complementary advantages. For example, let people who are good at communication interview, let people who are good at doing experiments, and let people who are good at computers do statistics. Only in this way can the overall scientific research benefit be truly brought into play.