Article,
The gap between educational research and practice: views of teachers, school leaders, intermediaries and researchers
British Educational Research Journal, 36 (2): 299-316 (2010)
Abstract
The relation between educational research and practice is a growing point of interest and has producednumerous lively debates. Although many reports and position papers have been published on thistopic, little empirical data are available. The aim of this study is to explore the gap between educationalresearch and practice and to assess the views of different key actors. After reviewing the literature,focus group interviews were organised with teachers, school leaders, researchers, and intermediaries.Questionnaire data were obtained from educational research professors in Flanders. Results indicatethat the gap between educational research and practice should be approached as a complex anddifferentiated phenomenon. All participants agreed that more cooperation between researchers andpractitioners is necessary. This could be achieved by establishing ‘professional learning communities’or by promoting a ‘design-based research’ model
