ABSTRACT
This large chapter explores the context of educational research. It sets out several foundations on which different kinds of empirical research are constructed:
scientific and positivistic methodologiesOO naturalistic and interpretive methodologiesOO mixed methods and methodologiesOO introducing post-positivism, post-structuralism and OO postmodernism
Given the emphasis placed in educational research on quantitative and qualitative approaches, this chapter sets out the basis on which these two main approaches are founded. Then it indicates how both are combined in mixed methods research. It introduces postpositivism, post-structuralism and postmodernism not only in their own right but as having affinities with interpretive approaches and also as bridges into complexity theory.
