Educational Research in India : An Overview

 

 

Introduction

It is encouraging that over the years the quantum of studies related to school education in india have

maintained an upward trend. The researchers have applied normative as well as interpretive approaches to

issues and problems of education in the Indian context practically all sectors of education including

preschool, elementary, secondary, higher secondary, and teacher education have been examined. Historical,

philosophical, psychological and other social and basic science perspectives on teaching-learning issues and

problems have been reflected. Generally researchers in india have been attracted to various areas. In this

presentation I have tried to discuss the overview of the situation in major areas research studies are

classified in to 38 areas. Each of these areas reflects on the national and the international scene in the

respective areas the research gaps for further studies have also been discuss. The major thrust areas of the

educational research are as under.

Philosophy of Education

The studies related to philosophy of education, have attracted less no of researches. There has been

no visible improvement in the overall quality of the studies the need to address a wide variety of

philosophical issues related to education. It has been indicated that philosophy of education should not

restrict its concerns to the study of events and personalities of the past only. If the objects of philosophical

to that extent distances itself from living reality, weakens its link with emerging concerns and becomes just

an academic exercise. Philosophy of education will have functional value only when its concern emerges

from the events and problems that are experienced here and now.

Sociology of Education

The same comments can be applied to the area of sociology of education. There is still the need for

in-depth studies with interdisciplinary perspective to explain social realities.

History of Education

This includes new approaches to the study of History of Education and the emerging. Comparative

history political , social history and intellectual and cultural history. It is pointed out that the study of

history of education is no longer regarded as a matter of ‘Acts and Facts’. It also includes the many societal

influences which go to shape a person’s character and intellect. Accordingly , history of education is

concerned not merely with institutions but with the social forces which have affected the quality of life.

Economics of Education

The themes considered under Economics of Education include interlinkages between education and

sociologic variables, (ii) problems of inequality education: economic dimensions, (iii) issues educational

planning, and (iv) problem in ucational finance

Psychology of Education

Research and studies in Psychology of Education are at growth. The general trend of research in 

congnitive psychology of learning , personality development , adjustment and social-cultural aspects can be 

visible .

Mental Health

There have been studies in the field of Mental Health in the educational context. It is observed that 

“although mental health constitutes an important facet of the educational process , it has not received 

sufficient attention by the researchers”.

Cognitive Processes

Two major traditional type of research on cognitive processes have been indentified . One is the 

tradition of hard core “experimental research” in which the emphasis is placed on describing how an 

individual receives information, tranforms it into familiar meaningful codes, recollects it when needed, and 

makes its effective use in solving a wide variety of problems. A second tradition is represented by 

“developmental research” in which the concern is to examine the growth and development of cognitive 

processes.

Social processes 

Educational research on social processes has tried to concentrate on: the development of 

cooperation versus competition, the accommodation and assimilation process, conflict resolution and 

socialization, socio-cultural interalcational processes and adjustment in school and family 

Motivation

The status of Indian research in the field of motivation, especially in relation to classroom learning 

has been inproving some identified crucial areas link motivational factore in learning difficulties, the use of 

“learning groups” as immigrant rural students into the urban areas need to be studied.

science education 

The researches in the field of science is an integrated concept linking science with education using 

psychology., there are studies in the area under (1) environmental studies (2) science curriculum, syllabus 

and textbooks, (3) learning and models of teaching in science (4) teaching strategies (5) outcomes of science 

education (6) correlates of achievement in science (7) educational technology and (8) other related studies 

reflecting on the future agenda for researches.

Mathematics education

There has been improvement in researchon mathematics education in recent years. The studies 

related (1) high failure rates in mathematics (2) learning and teaching of mathematics (3) special problems 

of learning and teaching of geometry, and (4) evaluation of mathematics curriculum.

Physical and health education

The studies on physical and health education, reviewed by Venkatesha Murthy reflect the state-of-

the-art predominantly at the doctoral level. Studies in health education, physical education, sports athletics 

and nutrition are observation. 

Moral art and aesthetic education

Trends in studies on moral art and aesthetic education studies on moral education reflecting social

learning, psychoanalytic and cognitive developmental theoretical perspectives.

Educational Technology

There have been a no of studies in this field. The sub areas are as follows: The research on (1)Video

and ETV Programmes, (2) Radio and Audio Programmes, (3) Micro Teaching Strategies, (4) Programmed

Learning , Teaching Aids and Film Strips, and (6) Educational News Reporting.

Still there is a need to probe into the uncharted fields of illuminative and indepth phenomenological

research studies in educational technology.

Teacher Education

The system model of classifying studies on Teacher Education to maintain countinuity with previous

reviews on the subject. The studies have been analysed under context-presage-process-out put

components. Reflecting on future needs and directions, The importance of establishing linkages between

teacher education and its consequences in terms of cognitive, affective and psychomotor learning.

Vocational and Technical Educational

Trends in the researches on Vocational and Technical Education have been analysed by pointed out

that intensive change and reorientation in the field and emergence of a multiplicity of national models.

Forms and structures to cope with the rapid technological advances and the changing needs of the labour

market. Reaserch issues to be probed related to (1) policy management and planning (2) curriculum and

instructional material, (3) school-industry linkage,(4)Vertical mobility and (5) teacher training.

Special Education

There are some qualitative changes that are talking place in the area Special Education. The trends

report takes into account the content of meeting special educational needs focusing in the education

system as a while.

Open and Distance Education

The researches in the Open and Distance Education. Has observed that the issues examined so far

mostly related to the needs of distances learning and their characteristics, drop-out phenomena,

preparation of instrucational material and submission of assignments, it is visualized that with the setting up

of the Distance Education council effective steps will be taken to promote quality research in distance and

open educations at the fundamental, the experimental and the application levels to constantly enrich

traning prigrammes.

Education of Girls and Women

Studies in Education of Girls and Women have been analysed the evolution of research and enquiry

into education and social situation of women in the country till date.

Education Assessment and Evaluation

The research studies on educational assessment and evaluation includes research in examination. It

is observed that the level of sophistication necessary for making educational testing develop into an

emerging science of assessment in India will properly validated and standardized educational tests.

Educational Planning and Policy Research

The studies on Educational Planning and Policy Research have been in vague for more than four 

decades, not much attention has been given to strengthening of research base in the country. The area of 

policy research and perspective planning is practically unexplored.