ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 expands on why it is important for teachers to be able to draw on a range of literacy research and outlines the extent and nature of this range. Literacy research is a dynamic and expansive field that has the potential to speak to literacy education in diverse ways. It encompasses work from psychology, sociology, philosophy and neuroscience, literary theory, media and literacy studies, with methodologies that include a range of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. The chapter argues that if teachers are to develop empowering and inclusive literacy classrooms, they need to use their professional judgement to draw on understandings associated with varied theoretical perspectives and research traditions. Eight orientations for literacy research are identified. Each draws on a variety of perspectives, understandings, methodologies and contributions with a potential to speak to teachers and schools in ways that are inspiring, informative or thought-provoking.
