Scientifically Based Research and Teacher Agency: Combating “Conspiracies of Certainty”

Authors

Kurt Stemhagen, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Brionna C. Nomi, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow

Abstract

This project considers how certain types of educational research position teachers as problems to be managed or worked around. We start with a discussion of scientifically based research (SBR), particularly how the quest for generalization/objectivity are often pursued at the expense of relevance. We use the way teachers are positioned in the growing field of Implementation Science as an example of what’s wrong with SBR. A fundamental tension emerges—researchers’ need for scientific control is inescapably at odds with the idea of teacher as professional. Finally, we provide an example of an approach that has potential to counter the SBR-influenced idea that compliance is at the core of good teaching.

Response to this Article

Michael A. Neel and Barbara S. Stengel, The Wisdom of Practice Meets the Pursuit of Scientific Inquiry

Recommended Citation

Stemhagen, K. , Nomi, B. C. (2021). Scientifically Based Research and Teacher Agency: Combating “Conspiracies of Certainty”. Democracy and Education, 29 (2), Article 2.
Available at: https://democracyeducationjournal.org/home/vol29/iss2/2