The utility of philately in comparative education and the analysis of higher education systems

Philately is an original source which has been unexamined as a research tool in comparative education. This study investigated the possibility of formulating ideas and concepts about higher education by developing case studies on Japan, Kenya and the USSR. Each case study compared the interpretation of the postage stamps and dedications issued with an analysis of comparative education literature. Wilson\u27s comparative education framework was used to assess the thoroughness of each approach. The comparative education journals used in this research included: Comparative Education Review (1957 to present), Comparative Education (1964 to present), and the International Review of Education (1955 to present). The analysis of philately required developing useful questions as a heuristic device. The Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: Cognitive Domain (Bloom, 1956) was used to devise sample questions which extended the comparative education literature in useful ways. The philatelic questions formed a link between the comparative education literature and International Education which enhanced both fields. Philatelic analysis highlighted culturally important events useful for both comparative education and international education. It is appropriate to note that Wilson\u27s categories of national characteristics and socializing agents was expanded by this research to include a country\u27s traditional values (Japan), sought values (Kenya) and propaganda (USSR). The case studies indicated new ways to examine comparative education through Wilson\u27s framework and established the value of philately as a research tool for comparative education researchers