by Dr. Sultan Muhammad Khan
Definitions of Research
Keywords ; Meaning of research,Meaning of educational research, Introduction of
educational research, characteristics of educational research, education
planning
Meaning of research: search again and again.
Word Origin & History, As per the Webster Online
dictionary, the word research is derived from the Middle French “recherche”,
which means “to go about seeking”, the term itself being derived from the Old
French term “recerchier” a compound word from “re-” + “cerchier”, or “sercher”,
meaning ‘search’. The earliest recorded use of the term was in 1577.
Definitions of Research
The
main goal of research is the gathering and interpreting of information to
answer questions
(Hyllegard, Mood, and Morrow, 1996).
Research
is a systematic attempt to provide answers to questions
(Tuckman,
1999).
Research
may be defined as the systematic and objective analysis and recording of
controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalizations,
principles, or theories, resulting in prediction and possible control of events
(Best
and Kahn, 1998).
MEANING
OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
“Educational
Research is the systematic application of scientific method for solving
educational problem”
(Mouly)
‖
“Educational
Research is the activity for developing science of behavior in educational
situations. It allows the educator to achieve his goals effectively”‖ (Travers)
According
to Whitney,
―Educational Research aims at finding out
solution of educational problems by using scientific philosophical method.
Generally,
educational research is defined as research that investigates the behaviour of
students, teachers, administrators, parents and other members of the community
who interact with educational institutions.
The
major concern of educational research is to understand, explain and to some extent predict and control human
behaiour.
The
main purpose of educational research is to improve teaching learning process
and suggest effective steps for the proper utilization of educational resources
•
Educational
research
•
Educational
research refers to a variety of
methods, in which individuals evaluate different aspects of education including
but not limited to: “student learning, teaching methods, teacher training, and
classroom dynamics”.
Need
for Research
Research
is needed for the understanding of the personality and the development of
personality which is the main aim of education
Education
deals with all kinds of subjects and to understand the relationship between
education and these subjects research is very necessary
Education
as a science deal with growth and development and the laws of learning,
theories of administration and planning
The
effectiveness of the teacher by research
As
art it play a vital role in the area of teaching, how to improve teaching and
how a teacher could manage a classroom.
It
deals with educational problems regarding students and teachers.
It
uses classrooms, schools, colleges department of education as the laboratory
for conducting research.
Research
is needed for producing good worker for
the society and country by assessing the future need
Man
want to know himself and for that he need research to dig up the history
The
need to improve education by introducing new polices and plans through research
Improve
Practice
Research
can suggest ways of improving practice that have been verified with many
applications and by many different types of people, which is difficult for
teachers.
Add
to Knowledge
Research
can add, to what we know about how people learn and what we can do to support
the learning process.
Address
Gaps in Knowledge
Research
can address areas in which little information is available, like the effects of
online versus traditional classroom learning.
Expand
Knowledge
Research
can allow us to extend what we know in ways we never imagined.
Replicate
Knowledge
Research
can act as a test to verify previous findings.
Add
Voices of Individuals to Knowledge
Research
can add an important perspective for different learning types. research helps
revise theory and practice to reflect different student needs.
Asking
New Questions
Research
always seek new questions about teaching, learning and curriculum
Research
bring objectivity in education it remove the opinion of few persons or thoughts
and formulate it according to the need of society and country
Bring
Education Reform
With
the changing times it bring new reform
to education polices and teaching learning process
Create
sense of awareness
Research
bring awareness in the society to improve the quality of education and
education institutions in the country and look for new ways to improve the
skills of the teacher and students
Research
bring confidence in teacher
Research
base teaching bring respect for teachers, it help to improve the teaching
skills of the teacher and lead the teacher to adapt new methods for teaching
Research
Need for selection
Research
help the society what to teach and what not to teach.
Selection
of the curriculum for teaching and
selection of students for the right subject
CHARACTERISTICS
OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
Research
is a way of thinking and to qualify as a research it needs to have certain
characteristics such as follows (adaptation of Leedy, 1993, Borg & Borg,
1983)
Research
begins with a question in the mind of the researcher.
You
need only to look around and everywhere you see phenomena which will arouse
your interest. For example, why are children in this school unable to
read? Why are girls performing better than boys? These are situations in
which the meaning of which you do not understand.
Research for studying the child
The
knowledge of child psychology is very necessary for the teaching learning
process and it is only possible through research in education institutions
under the supervision of the psychologist and a good researcher
Research Give us feedback
Research
give us feedback on every step of education, the quality of teacher, the
quality of curriculum, the behavior of the students, policies and planning and
the need for the future
By
asking relevant questions we create an environment which is essential for
research. Research arises from a question that is intelligently asked with
regards to a phenomenon that the researcher observes and is confusing
him.
Research
requires a plan.
One
does not discover the truth or explanations about a phenomenon without serious
and careful planning. Research is not just by looking-up something in the
hope of coming across the solution to your problem. Rather it needs a certain
plan, direction and design
Research
demands a clear statement of the problem.
Successful
research begins with a clear, simple statement of the problem. The statement of
the problem should be stated precisely and grammatically complete, cont….
must
set forth what it seeks to discover and enables one to see what one is
attempting to research
Research
deals with the main problem through sub-problems.
Divide
the main problem into appropriate sub-problems, all of which when resolved will
result in the solution of the main research problem.
Research
seeks direction through appropriate hypotheses
Having
stated the problem and the related subproblems, the subproblems are then each
viewed through logical constructs called hypotheses
v
.A
hypothesis is a logical reasonable guess, an educated estimation which may give
direction to thinking with respect to the problem, and thus, aid in solving it.
Research
deals with facts and their meaning.
Having
defined the problem, the subproblems and hypothesis, the next step is to collect
whatever facts related to the problem. Organise the data collected into a form
that is potentially meaningful.
Scope
of research in Education
The
scope of research refers to how far the research area has explored
.
The
scope of research in the field of education is very vast. It includes;
efficiency of the educational institutions, securing benefits of the
educational institutions through practical measures,
.
clarification
of the functions and coordination of the educational programs, sound
educational planning, good direction, efficient and systematic execution.
.
Research
provides close collaboration and sense of sharing responsibilities, organized
purpose and dynamic approach.
.
Explore
new methods of coordination in student-teacher-parents-society.
.
Research
provides well defined policies and programs, favorable teaching learning
situation, growth and development of human beings, make use of appropriate
materials,
.
effective
development of human qualities, execution of the programs, arrangement of the
activities, efforts for attainment of the objectives etc.
Psychology
of the teachers and their problem are the main concern of the researchers
because with out good and satisfied teachers one cant expect good education
from the teachers
Curriculum
The
area of curriculum is also the focus of the research, what to teach, what
should be the objectives and goals of the curriculum
Psychology
of students
Students
behavior is the most important aspect of the researchers to study and find
their emotional and educational problem
Reforms/
amendments
Place
for reforms and amendments
Discipline
Discipline
in educational institutions is the most
important factor in the process of teaching and learning which need research.
Classroom
management
Classroom
management is all of the things that a teacher does to organize students,
space, time, and materials so that instruction in content and learning can take
place (Wong, 1991).
Teaching
methods
Research
is discovering new method of teaching.
Educational
environment
Home
Enivernment
Type of education system
Evaluation
Continuous
evaluation help in the improvement of school and teaching learning process
Parents and society role in the process of
education
Resources
Management:
Research in the field of resource management,
Providing, arranging funds and resources for teaching learning process
Supervision
and supervisor
Good
education is result of good supervision upon the side of a good supervisor and
to find the new method for supervision need research
Education
planning
How
to plan and what to plan for the education system need research. Research
explore new methods and give new ideas for the betterment of educational planning.
Community
How
to involve community in the supervision of school and teaching learning process
need research
