Historical trends and contemporary issues in representing research in education

The SAGE Companion to Research in Education provides an indispensible introduction to the field of education research methods. The Companion cleverly and clearly sets out the inter-relationships between theory, critique and practice in research in education. This book will be essential reading for any student new to the field of education research. It moves beyond artificial divisions between the various methodological traditions by focussing on the four key issues that all education researchers must address: the conceptualising, contextualizing, representing and legitimating of inquiry. Each section contains an overview of key issues, brief case studies or examples, and short vignettes or commentaries to allow readers to grasp diverse perspectives and key controversies. The contributions are all focused on addressing issues of real significance to the practicing researcher, such as: - How are the aims and purposes of research established? - Which epistemological, ontological, axiological and methodological approached might be taken? - How and why are research projects designed and conducted in particular ways? - For whom and how is research reported and communicated? The SAGE Companion to Research in Education is an essential resource for anyone carrying out research in education and related fields