Getting ‘What Works’ Working: Building Blocks for the Integration of Experimental and Improvement Science
Item
Title
Getting ‘What Works’ Working: Building Blocks for the Integration of Experimental and Improvement Science
Abstract/Description
As a systemic approach to improving educational practice through research, ‘What Works’ has come under repeated challenge from alternative approaches, most recently that of improvement science. While ‘What Works’ remains a dominant paradigm for centralized knowledge-building efforts, there is need to understand why this alternative has gained support, and what it can contribute. I set out how the core elements of experimental and improvement science can be combined into a strategy to raise educational achievement with the support of evidence from randomized experiments. Central to this combined effort is a focus on identifying and testing mechanisms for improving teaching and learning, as applications of principles from the learning sciences. This article builds on current efforts to strengthen approaches to evidence-based practice and policy in a range of international contexts. It provides a foundation for those who aim to avoid another paradigm war and to accelerate international discussions on the design of systemic education research infrastructure and funding.
Author/creator
Date
In publication
Volume
39
Issue
3
Pages
299-313
Resource type
Research/Scholarly Media
Resource status/form
Published Text
Scholarship genre
Synthesis/Overview
Keywords
Open access/full-text available
Yes
Peer reviewed
Yes
ISSN
1743-727X
Citation
Peterson, A. (2016). Getting ‘What Works’ Working: Building Blocks for the Integration of Experimental and Improvement Science. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 39(3), 299–313. https://doi.org/10.1080/1743727X.2016.1170114
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