How can educational research make a greater impact on educational practice? "Problem-Based Methodology: Research for the Improvement of Practice" explains why educational research has contributed so little to the understanding and resolution of educational problems, and how, with a different methodology, its contribution could be significantly greater. The book offers an alternative problem-based methodology (PBM) which is better matched than either empiricist, critical or interpretive approaches to the generic features of educational problems, to the way practitioners seek to resolve those problems, and to the normative requirements of any practical activity. In addition, PBM incorporates a politics of inquiry which shows how researchers and practitioners can reach warranted agreements about the nature of problems and solutions, through dialogue that is simultaneously critical and collaborative. Two original school-based studies illustrate this new approach to educational and social research.
Preface. Acknowledgements. Justifying and Explaining Problem-Based Methodology. The need for a problem-based methodology. Taking problems and practitioners seriously. Defending and developing problem-based methodology. Using Problem-Based Methodology. Analysing educational problems: the case of a professional development programme. Analysing educational problems: the dilemmas of participative management. Reflections on problem analysis. Intervening in educational problems: two case studies. Reflections on intervention. Comparing Problem-Based Methodology. Empiricist research and problem resolution. Interpretive research and problem resolution. Critical research and problem resolution. Conclusions. Obstacles and opportunities for problem-based methodology. Appendix A. Appendix B. Author index. Subject index.
