In this paper, I argue that the movement for research utilisation in education can be seen as part of an attempt to alter the foundations on which teachers base their decisions, replacing liberal values with which teaching has been associated, with the values of "what works." I review the empirical literature around teachers' use of…

This study was conducted to explore elementary school teachers' uses of reading disabilities research. A modified version of Knott and Wildavsky's (1980) knowledge utilization framework underpinned the investigation. Teachers completed a questionnaire and participated in focus groups which elicited their reported uses of reading…

Based on two studies conducted in the Chicago metropolitan area in 2009 and 2010, we found that teachers do, in fact, use research, although they tend to seek it out under very specific conditions and circumstances. Namely, teachers tend to look to research in response to an immediate, pressing concern such as how to best teach fractions to…

A focus group of 49 teachers revealed that teachers do use research, but they seek it out under very specific conditions. They also use different criteria than researchers use to judge the quality of research. For teachers, important factors include an ethos of localized learning, a shortage of time, and the primacy of local context. Researchers…

After many years as a high school mathematics teacher, administrator, university professor, and philosopher of education, the author's inclination in answering this question (what can teachers learn from research?) is to say, "not much." If one is looking for a recipe-like answer to questions about how to teach fractions, reading, spelling, or…

Argues that (1) increased and improved relations are definitely needed between R&D specialists in universities, research centers, and educational laboratories on the one hand, and the field users in public schools, State agencies, legislatures, and colleges on the other; (2) serious problems and pitfalls have developed in linking procedures…

Prompted by dissatisfaction with its information procedures the research department of the Board of Education for Toronto undertook a research project to find new and effective ways of disseminating information about their studies. It was felt that the research information was of little use if it did not reach the interested consumer. Five methods…

The ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center) citations in twenty doctoral dissertations in education, completed in 1969 and 1974 at the University of Illinois, were examined in this study. These dissertations dealt with research in health occupation, reading, career, mathematics, music, and English education. Comparisons were made between…

In order to correct the existing breach between the educational researcher and the educator, it is advocated that Action Research replace the "common sense" approach used by most educators. The history of Action Research is traced and a comparison between formal educational research, Action Research, and the "common sense" approach is made.…

A study was conducted to identify uses of data from the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) of the National Center for Education Statistics and to determine the extent and variety of such use. In addition, the study attempted to determine research topics that have been studied through the SASS. Information was collected for the use categories of:…

Paper presented at the Thirty-Fourth Annual Groves Conference on Marriage and the Family, Boston, Massachusetts, April, 1968.

This study focused on the production, dissemination, and assimilation of material published in the major journals on educational research--four "core" journals and three "tangential." Two questionnaires were used: one sent to the authors of all articles published in 1968 and 1969, and the second to the persons whom these authors cited as working…

Interest in strengthening the impact and value of education research has been growing around the world. Here I outline a view of the nature of "impact" and point to instances where research has had a positive impact in education, but always within a larger social and political framework. A three element "model" of research impact is developed and…

Literature on vocational education research and development (R&D) was reviewed to determine the distribution, utilization, and impact of R&D information and products. The literature indicated both slightly and strongly negative findings on the dissemination of vocational education R&D products. Many of the studies described strategies…