Research Based…Questions to Ask

As educators, we hear the term “research based” ad nauseam.

“This strategy works. It’s research based.”

“We want you to do it like this because that method is research based.”

“This new curriculum is research based so it’s definitely effective.”

When we constantly hear the term “research based” being used, we become passive and we may even take it at face value that whatever is deemed as “research based” must be, in fact, effective. I think that the term research based is sometimes even used to silence teachers and halt any push-back. I think that it is important that we seek to dig deeper and learn more about the research behind anything presented to us as research based.

Research based: “founded on an accumulation of facts that have been obtained by research”.

Google Dictionary (Oxford Languages)

The claim that something is research based only tells us part of the story. To learn the full story we need ask to see the research. Then we need to look closely at what the research is based on and also check on the validity of that research.

There are problems that can arise when we adopt programs because of their claims of effectiveness. If we choose curriculum or interventions based on these claims it may not addresses the needs of the students in a particular school/classroom, it might not fit the particular school’s vision for what students need to become literate individuals, or it might not meet the specific needs that an individual child has. In fact, if the program adopted is used for an intervention, sometimes the child is blamed when the packaged, proven to be effective, intervention doesn’t help the child make gains.

We shouldn’t be afraid to ask our school leaders or the representative of a company about the research behind a strategy, program, intervention, etc. We can encourage our school leaders and colleagues to join us in looking carefully at a program to see if it truly aligns with the research that it claims to be based on.

Often times, representatives of literacy programs will say that research has been conducted on their product and the research results will back up it’s claims of effectiveness. Teachers should look closely at that research as well.

When looking at any research that has been conducted the following questions can be asked:

• Was the research completed by the company selling the product or somebody who will profit from the positive research outcomes?
• What was the sample size?
• Were the participants randomly selected?
• What were the demographics of the sample?
• Was there a control group?
• Has the research appeared in a peer reviewed journal?
• Are the results replicable?

When we hear the term research based we need to become inquisitive and seek answers. Find colleagues to dig deeper with you in the early stages of exploring new strategies, methods, and/or program. To help myself become more knowledgeable about research I have been reading many educational research articles. The following are two of my favorite resources that were also used to help me write this post.

Resources:

How to Evaluate Educational Research

10 Things Every Literacy Educator Should Know About Research