Realism in Research Objectives for Education Personnel and Citizens

Abstract

Where among the reports on millions spent for research are answers to critical education questions facing us collectively as a society, as unique groups, and as individuals ? What research is pertinent to the varied professionals and citizens responsible for different aspects of education ? Where is the broad dissemination of proven ideas? And why the decades-long lag before research is applied? While we do need immense amounts of new R&D money, we also require a sound conception of research reporting for practitioners and decision makers to enable them to apply scientific knowledge to practice and decisions. Research which makes a difference in education requires planning for specific audiences to assure vital dissemination for utilization in specific situations―!!OHJ, whw if's 5 ¡¡ceded.In a personal conversation with B.

Reading research: its influence on classroom practice

“…However persuasive the argument, and however important the message, if couched in terms unintelligible to its audience it will fail to make significant headway. In addition, it should be stressed that not only is most research never published, but even that which is receives poor circulation (see Hall, 1984), its restricted availability further damaging its credibility, so that 'educational research too often will remain an exercise in futility' (Burdin, 1976) until it gets off the shelves, into the hands of those responsible for the education of young children, who can hopefully begin to apply its findings where relevant.…”