ERIC Number: ED614953
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Apr-28
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Research Utilization in Special Education
Buren, Molly K.; Johnson, Austin H.; Maggin, Daniel M.; Bains, Bhawandeep K.; Galligan, Megan R. Ledoux; Couch, Lauren K.
Advances in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities
Evidence-based practice is an essential component of special education and provides a framework for promoting the use of research to inform policy and practice. Despite the importance of evidence-based practice to special education, the research-to-practice gap remains a persistent challenge to the successful dissemination of effective, research-based practices. Given the underuse of research in special education, the next big thing in evidence-based special education is to develop effective mechanisms for disseminating research and practice. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to introduce research utilization as a concept to special education and present a preliminary analysis on special education teacher perceptions of research. Results suggest that special education teachers value evidence-based practice but remain unsure of their skills to distinguish between studies with more and less rigorous methods. Moreover, we found that special education teachers tended to use sources with lower self-reported ratings of trustworthiness, such as social media and teacher exchange websites, due to time efficiency and accessibility. Respondents provided recommendations for ameliorating the research-to-practice gap and increasing the usability of research overall. [For the complete volume, "The Next Big Thing in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities. Advances in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities. Volume 31," see ED614920.]
Descriptors: Evidence Based Practice, Special Education, Educational Research, Research Utilization, Information Dissemination, Special Education Teachers, Teacher Attitudes, Self Efficacy, Theory Practice Relationship, Information Sources
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Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A