Reason in Conducting Research

1. REASONS IN
CONDUCTING
RESEARCH
THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS FOR CONDUCTING EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH.
THESE INCLUDE:

2. • Generating new knowledge: Conducting research helps expand the existing body of knowledge in the
field of education. It helps identify gaps in current knowledge and contributes to the development of
theories, frameworks, and concepts.
• Addressing societal concerns: Research can help address societal concerns by examining educational
policies, practices, and interventions. It helps identify effective strategies to improve educational
outcomes and address educational inequalities.
• Informing decision-making: Research provides evidence to inform decision-making processes at
various levels, including policy-making, curriculum development, and instructional practices. It helps
ensure that decisions are based on a solid understanding of the potential impacts and consequences.
• Improving teaching and learning: Research in education provides valuable insights into effective
teaching and learning strategies. It helps educators understand how students learn best and identify
effective instructional approaches.

3. • Evaluating programs and interventions: Research can help evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and
interventions. It provides evidence on their impact, helping stakeholders make informed decisions about their continuation,
improvement, or discontinuation.
• Promoting evidence-based practices: Educational research promotes the use of evidence-based practices in classrooms and
educational settings. It helps bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that interventions and strategies are
grounded in solid evidence.
• Enhancing professional development: Research in education contributes to the professional development of educators. It
helps them stay updated with the latest research findings and best practices, improving their teaching methods and
instructional techniques.
• Contributing to policy development: Research plays a crucial role in informing the development of educational policies. It
provides evidence to support policy recommendations and helps policymakers better understand the potential impacts of
their decisions.
• Overall, educational research is important for guiding educational practices, improving outcomes, and addressing the complex
challenges faced by educators, policymakers, and learners.

4. WHAT ARE THE USES OF A RESEARCH OUTPUT
The outputs of educational research are valuable in several ways Here are some of uses
of research outputs:
• Informing policy and decision-making: Research outputs provide evidence-based
information that can inform educational policies and decisions. Policymakers can use
research findings to develop effective policies, programs, and interventions that
address specific educational challenges.
• Improving practice: Research outputs provide insights into effective teaching and
learning strategies, instructional techniques, and educational interventions. Educators
can apply these research findings in their classrooms to improve their teaching
methods and enhance student learning outcomes.

5. • Guiding curriculum development: Research outputs help guide curriculum
development processes. They provide information on what topics, concepts, and skills
should be included in the curriculum to promote meaningful learning and prepare
students for future challenges.
• Evaluating programs and interventions: Research outputs, particularly evaluation
studies, help assess the effectiveness of educational programs and interventions. They
provide evidence of whether these initiatives are achieving their intended outcomes
and inform decisions about their continuation, improvement, or termination.
• Identifying best practices: Research outputs help identify best practices in education.
They highlight effective strategies and approaches that can be adopted and scaled up
to improve educational outcomes.

6. • Supporting professional development: Research outputs contribute to the professional
development of educators. By staying updated with the latest research findings, educators can
enhance their knowledge, skills, and instructional practices.
• Addressing educational inequalities: Research outputs shed light on educational inequalities and
their causes. They help policymakers and educators identify the factors contributing to these
inequities and develop targeted interventions to address them.
• Advancing knowledge: Research outputs contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the
field of education. They build upon existing theories, frameworks, and concepts and help
develop new ones. They also identify areas where further research is needed, guiding future
inquiry and exploration.
• Overall, the outputs of educational research have wide-ranging applications, helping inform
policies, improve practice, guide curriculum development, and advance knowledge in the field of
education.

7. When conducting educational research, there are several important pointers to in mind. Here are
some key considerations1. Define the research question: Clearly define the research question or
objective that you want to address. This will guide the entire research process and ensure that your
study remains focused.
• Review existing literature: Conduct a thorough review of existing literature on the topic of your
research. This will help you understand the current knowledge and gaps in the field and ensure
that your study builds upon existing research.
• Select an appropriate research design: Choose an appropriate research design that aligns with
your research question and goals. Common research designs in education include experimental,
quasi-experimental, correlational, and qualitative methods. Select the design that will best
answer your research question.

8. • Collect and analyze data: Carefully collect and analyze the data to answer your research question. Ensure that your
data collection methods are valid and reliable, and your data analysis procedures are appropriate for the research
design and objectives.
• Stay ethical: Adhere to ethical guidelines when conducting research. Ensure informed consent is obtained from
participants, maintain confidentiality, and consider any potential risks or harms to participants. Follow ethical
protocols and seek institutional approval if necessary.
• Consider a diverse sample: Ensure that your research sample is representative and diverse, allowing for
generalization of findings. This helps avoid bias and ensures that your research findings are applicable to a wider
population.
• Use appropriate data analysis methods: Apply appropriate data analysis methods to draw meaningful conclusions
from your data. Choose statistical tests or qualitative analysis techniques that are appropriate for your research
design and research questions.
• Interpret and report findings: Carefully interpret your research findings and present them in a clear and concise
manner. Ensure that your conclusions are supported by your data and that you discuss any limitations of your study.

9. • Contribute to the research community: Share your research findings through
publications or presentations at conferences. This allows other researchers and
practitioners to learn from your work and contributes to the broader educational
research community.
• Reflect on the research process: Reflect on your research process to identify
strengths and weaknesses, areas for improvement, and future research directions.
This self-reflection helps improve your skills as a researcher and ensures that
future research builds upon your findings.
• By following these pointers, you can conduct rigorous and impactful educational
research that contributes to the field and informs educational practice.