ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces students to the nature of research, considering in particular the meaning of ‘research’ and its purposes and uses within the specific context of education. It will look briefly at how research in education has developed historically and will highlight recent trends, emphasising the growing importance of educational research. The chapter also looks at key research paradigms, presenting the critical differences between scientific (i.e. positivist) and interpretivist perspectives. It will consider how these different theoretical perspectives relate to different research strategies and methods of data collection, looking in particular at quantitative and qualitative approaches to educational research.
