As elementary teachers we are pros at assessing and evaluating. We evaluate our students on a daily basis, we even evaluate new programs to use in our classroom, however, when it comes to research we tend to be novices. Sometimes we (myself included) shrug our shoulders and often don’t give it the amount of thought it deserves. Sometimes we rush into a new program without accurately evaluating it. In our field there is an abundance of research. Can we though believe all research is good just because it is printed? I know I tell my students that just believe it is on the internet doesn’t mean it is true.

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary evaluation has to meanings:
1 : to determine or fix the value of
2 : to determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study

So how do we go about determining the significance or worth of educational research? Well we need to make sure we are evaluating it with a critical eye. Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

1. What is the purpose of the study? Is it observable?
2. Are there other studies like this one? If this is the only one be wary – one study can’t solve everything.
3. Who published the study? Who funded the study? – This could be a possible area for conflict of interest.
4. Does the author write in a in a clear and concise way? Or does he/she use million dollar words to confuse you? If you have to look up every other word chances are the author is trying to impress you more with his wide vocabulary rather than with the quality of the research.
5. Check out their sources…are they valid? Are they quality sources?

The most important thing to do when evaluating educational research is to give it the time it deserves to evaluate. Find a cozy spot and grab your favorite beverage the next time you look at a educational research.

Resources:

Carpenter, Brian. The Good, The Bad, and the Unscientific: Evaluating Educational Research. 2006 by National Charter Schools Institute. Retrieved from: http://www.nationalcharterschools.org/uploads/pdf/resource_20060512080334_Evaluating%20Education%20Research.pdf

Evaluate. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved June 28, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evaluate