Postpositivism and Educational Research

Phillips, D. C.; Burbules, Nicholas C.

ISBN 10: 0847691225 / ISBN 13: 9780847691227

Published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2000

Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0847691225I5N00

Synopsis:

This volume presents in a forthright and lively way, an account of the philosophical position generally identified as Postpositivistic that undergirds much of mainstream research in education and the related social sciences. The discussion throughout is informed by recent developments in philosophy of science. Authors D. C. Phillips and Nicholas C. Burbules cite a number of interesting examples from the educational research and evaluation literature to illustrate the value of a scientific approach. Many educational researchers aspire to carry out rigorous or disciplined inquiry aimed at producing accurate (and generally truthful) accounts of educational phenomena and the causal psychological or social processes that lay behind them. However, many recent critics have argued that it is a mistake to believe that research can yield theories, or advance claims that are true, objective, and value-neutral. In other words, that researchers always work within frameworks that embody important (and often questionable) assumptions about values and the nature of human knowledge. This book argues that , while there is much to be learned from recent critiques, traditional scientific values and assumptions are not outmoded. The authors show students how to implement and benefit from the scientific method in ways that take into account recent critiques.

About the Author: D. C. Phillips is professor of education and philosophy and associate dean for academic affairs in the School of Education at Stanford University. Nicholas C. Burbules is professor of education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He is also editor of the journal Educational Theory.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Postpositivism and Educational Research
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication Date: 2000
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Fair
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket