Research on inclusive education has gained major importance over the last decade. However, in the English-speaking discourse, empirical studies on inclusive teaching and learning often lack connections to existing educational theories that focus on the interrelation of teachers, learners and content as the three focal points of teaching and…

Research on computing in higher education research has been dominated by studies on "things that work" (or not). While useful, the field now needs more research on authentic tech-related problems of practice and viable solutions that resolve them. This article describes one such approach: Educational Design Research (EDR). It begins with…

Research paradigms offer a way for scholars to design, communicate, and reflect on their research effectively. A paradigm encapsulates the researcher's worldview, including the epistemology, ontology, and axiology of the research. Researchers are often initiated, whether explicitly or implicitly, into particular paradigms through graduate study.…

Given decision-makers often prioritize causal research that identifies the impact of treatments on the people they serve, a key question in education research is, "Does it work?". Today, however, researchers are paying increasing attention to successive questions that are equally important from a practical standpoint--not only does it…

This paper is a philosophical piece relating to an issue in education theory: what is the epistemological nature of the product of education research and what are the consequences for the reporting of findings and conclusions in particular, what form of contribution to knowledge and/or understanding can emerge from education research? Education…

Machine learning (ML) has become commonplace in educational research and science education research, especially to support assessment efforts. Such applications of machine learning have shown their promise in replicating and scaling human-driven codes of students' work. Despite this promise, we and other scholars argue that machine learning has…

Excellence in research is essential for advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and addressing societal challenges. This article proposes the INDEX Strategy Framework as a structured, evidence-based guide to optimize the research process. The framework encompasses five critical phases: Identify Focus Areas, Network and Collaborate, Design…

Causal evaluations in teacher education are rare. Underlying reasons include a lack of clearly defined treatments, a lack of research designs that can work in the context of teacher education programs, and a lack of resources for enacting these designs. This article provides a framework for how to fill these gaps. We first propose an approach to…

The nurturing of learners' ways of knowing is vital for supporting their intellectual growth and their participation in democratic knowledge societies. This paper traces the development of two interrelated theoretical frameworks that describe the nature of learners' epistemic thinking and performance and how education can support epistemic growth:…

We note two possibilities for how our science might capitalize on advances in computing that harness and weave "big data" into the rich tapestry of how human development unfolds. First, we propose that the classic theoretical models that have guided developmental research since the 1970s and the hierarchical analytical models used to…

In this article I describe and reflect on my evolving understandings of the study of mentoring since the publication of the 2005 article in the Journal of Teacher Education. My reflective journey suggests stressing two assertions to the study of mentoring. One, that there is a need to develop a more multidimensional and integrated conception of…

This conceptual paper presents a multidimensional framework for applying affordance theory to language education, moving beyond traditional, linear models. Drawing on ecological and rhizomatic perspectives, the framework views affordances as context-sensitive opportunities for action, shaped and enacted by learners, and analyzed across five key…

Regression discontinuity (RD) designs have gained significant popularity as a quasi-experimental device for evaluating education programs and policies. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of RD designs, focusing on the continuity-based framework, the most widely adopted RD framework. We first review the fundamental aspects of RD…

The randomized control trial (RCT) is the primary experimental design in education research due to its strong internal validity for causal inference. However, in situations where RCTs are not feasible or ethical, quasi-experiments are alternatives to establish causal inference. This paper serves as an introduction to several quasi-experimental…

Developing an evidence-base for educational provision can be an arduous journey. To facilitate consistent and accurate implementation of promising approaches, research efforts need to answer questions relating to theoretical coherence, efficacy, effectiveness, cost, ease of use, and acceptability. An evidence-building framework can help us to…