Importance of Educational Research

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Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. According to Clifford Woody, Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting, organising and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. In an educational sense, Research refers to a variety of methods, in which individuals evaluate different aspects of education including: “student learning, teaching methods, teacher training, and classroom dynamics”(Wikipedia). In other words, Educational Research can be viewed as ‘the collection and analysis of information on the world of education so as to understand and explain it better’, with a significance for practising teachers in that it should be viewed as a critical, reflexive, and professionally orientated activity ... regarded as a crucial ingredient in the teacher’s professional role ... generating self- knowledge and personal development in such a way that practice can be improved. (Hitchcock and Hughes, 1989: 3–4). Educational research is so important that its contributions to society cannot be overlooked for a number reasons among which are the following: Educational Research improves the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and evaluation and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results. Research gives practitioners and policymakers essential knowledge to use in making decisions on behalf of students. Research provides a means through which new understanding about teaching, learning, and educational administration can be developed. This new knowledge has significance because it will lead to the improvement of educational practice (Gall, Gall & Borg, 2003). Educational Research is important because

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