Pragmatism and Educational Research

by Gert J.J. Biesta

This volume offers an overview of the pragmatic understanding of knowledge and the acquisition of knowledge, and its implications for the conduct of educational research. Pragmatism and Educational Research focuses primarily on the work of John Dewey, and examines the relationship between pragmatism and educational research both in relation to research methodology and to a pragmatic educational theory. Biesta and Burbules provide examples of characteristic research questions and research methods and approaches, as informed by a pragmatist outlook. Further, they argue that the major benefit of a pragmatic approach to educational research lies in the possibility of promoting intelligent and reflective action by educational practitioners.

Genres: Philosophy, Education

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

Gert Biesta is Professor of Educational Theory at the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of Exeter and Visiting Professor for Education and Democratic Citizenship at Örebro University and Mälardalen University, Sweden.

Reviews

[Kurt Xyst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent presentation of the bones of Dewey's pragmatism for both the philosophical reader and the educational scholar.