The extent to which teachers should make use of theoretical and expert knowledge as opposed to tacit experiential knowledge, and how these might be combined, is a perennial issue in discussions on pedagogy. This book addresses these debates through a creative development of the concept of productive uncertainty. Using case studies focusing on…

After an introduction by Derek Allison describing the rationale of this inquiry and the preliminary research performed, three reflections on the current status of the educational administration field are presented. Goldwyn Emerson urges those in educational administration to borrow knowledge and methods from related fields and suggests that…

This paper affirms H. Lee Swanson's views in "Toward a Metatheroy of Learning Disabilities" and elaborates upon the role of basic research in learning disabilities. An alternative perspective on the nature of applied research is described that views applied research as theoretically driven research aimed at practical matters. (JDD)

Analyzes chapters on epistemology and methodology in the "Handbook of Research on Social Studies Teaching and Learning." Laments the imprecise definition concerning the epistemological nature of the social studies. Concludes the handbook does not clarify this definition and that social studies research reflects this missing broader…

Discusses recent developments in the philosophy of social science, most of which reflect or grow out of the dichotomy between the empiricist and positivist schools of thought. Considers and rejects the realist response as being overly concerned with causal correlations to the exclusion of social mechanisms and processes. (MJP)

Recent research in cognitive science and science education suggests that science-naive individuals have an understanding of the natural world based on their interpretation of everyday experience. This can make the process of conceptual change difficult. This paper presents ideas related to the acquisition of knowledge in astronomy. A theoretical…

Presents six assumptions underlying action research, or research by classroom teachers. Contends that teachers can conduct legitimate and useful research if it is qualitative or interpretative not quantitative. Concludes that art education and art educational professionals have much to gain by engaging in action research. (CFR)

Examines the work of Jurgen Habermas and Arthur Danto and develops a conceptual structure that views art education as an interpretive and reflective network that bridges school and life experiences. Contends that visual arts contribute to the development of reflective capacities. (CFR)

Traditionally, educational administration is a technology of administrative control that systematically ignores both educational issues and those social and cultural issues that lie at the heart of people's commitment to, or alienation from, educational institutions. These social and cultural inequalities are investigated in a series of essays on…

This paper designs a theoretical construct that integrates a number of mainstream systems of inquiry available to educational policymakers. Each system of inquiry has postulates, basic and derived concepts that characterize its epistemological foundations and methodological directives. None of these systems of inquiries, however, is proscriptive…

Maintains that social science mistakenly has emphasized symmetry (social forces that correct disequilibrium and maintain balance) over asymmetry (antithetical forces that support and embody divergent thinking). Calls for a more open, intuitive, and creative approach to research and methodology. (MJP)

Predicts that the paradigms of chaos theory will rapidly move into the social sciences, resulting in major changes in educational research and the study of the curriculum. Discusses the need for new metaphors and paradigms in the social sciences. Briefly characterizes previous educational principles and approaches. (MJP)

Epistemology traditionally has been defined as the division of philosophy that investigates the nature and origin of knowledge. More specifically, epistemology usually is said to be concerned with either the development of common bodies of knowledge or the establishment of personal knowledge. In recent years, epistemology also has come to be used…

Provides a summary of postmodernist thinking and attempts to find a place for social studies in a system that abjures all accepted notions of authority and objectivity. Concludes that postmodernism's view of a world ruled by a multiple discourses is not inimical to social studies' emphasis on critical analysis. (MJP)

Both Women's Studies courses and the mainstreaming of Women's Studies material within the regular disciplines are essential pedagogical strategies for making curriculum responsive to the gendered context of schools, but it is also important to formulate a gender-fair model of education. After explaining the need for and benefits of gender-fair…