CONCEPTIONS OF RESEARCH IN STUDENT LEARNING

Differences in approaches to research into student learning are analyzed in terms of differences in the conception of six aspects of the research process. It is argued that underlying various research strategies there is a variation in perspective (experiental or observational), description (qualitative or quantitative), conceptualization (contextual or generalized), relations of categories (internal or external), comprehension (understanding or explaining) and application of findings (technical or emancipatory). The recent quantitative increase in research on student learning is seen as being paralleled by a tendency towards a paradigmatic shift in approach. © 1979 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company.