Navigating the education research maze: contextual, conceptual, methodological and transformational challenges and opportunities for researchers

Navigating the education research maze: contextual, conceptual, methodological and transformational challenges and opportunities for researchers

Explores the contextual, conceptual, methodological and transformational challenges and opportunities presented in and by the conduct of education researchExplores a range of research methods such as eResearch, mixed-methods, qualitative, quantitative, collaborative and practice-led researchExplores the challenges faced by researchers from across the Social Sciences
This book depicts rigorous and vigorous accounts of strategies used successfully by researchers to negotiate their way through the research maze. The metaphor of the maze evokes several different and sometimes contradictory elements of contemporary education research, including complexity, confusion, messiness, multiplicity and risk. While these are not necessarily or wholly negative attributes, it is important for researchers to be able to articulate and implement effective strategies for engaging wholeheartedly with these situations to navigate the education research maze.

The book is structured around three main themes; politics, ethics, philosophies and theories of education research mazes; mazes in and with specific research methods; and mazes in and with specific research tasks and technologies. Each account develops broader lessons for enhancing the impact, quality, relevance and significance of research in other disciplines as well as education.