This book increases understanding of, and provides inspiration for, the conduct of research in primary/elementary education. It discusses and evaluates the selection and development of research methods used for their own innovatory projects. They explore the relationship between their choice of research methods, the frameworks for analysis used and research findings. In so doing they address the topical and controversial issues posed by these methods and alternative data-gathering techniques. These include:

• the case for the use of random-controlled trials to inform policy-making and improve classroom practice
• the role of mixed methods to investigate the social aspects of inclusion
• children as researchers researching their peers
• the relationship between research and teacher development
• an analysis of the portrayal of teachers and education in the regional and national news
• the contribution of qualitative research in cross-national projects.

In research on teaching and learning in primary schools, accessing the views and experiences of children is crucial. Consequently, the possibilities and limitations of data collection techniques for collecting the views of children are central and concerns about validity and ethics posed by the power relationships between researchers and research participants are examined.

This book was based on a special issue of Educational 3-13 International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education.

First published in 1992. This book provides accounts of case-study research and evaluation in the area of special educational needs carried out by teachers in ordinary and special schools. Contributors discuss their experiences of the problems and possibilities of teacher research and provide advice on information-gathering, analysis and writing up. The findings presented address both whole-school matters, such as the use of support staff in ordinary schools, and the development of an assessment policy in a special school, and a range of current issues, such as partnership with parents and the teaching of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is of interest to all teachers and tutors involved in research-based courses, students in primary and secondary initial teacher training, teachers on in-service courses, support staff for special educational needs.

First published in 1992. This book provides accounts of case-study research and evaluation in the area of special educational needs carried out by teachers in ordinary and special schools. Contributors discuss their experiences of the problems and possibilities of teacher research and provide advice on information-gathering, analysis and writing up. The findings presented address both whole-school matters, such as the use of support staff in ordinary schools, and the development of an assessment policy in a special school, and a range of current issues, such as partnership with parents and the teaching of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is of interest to all teachers and tutors involved in research-based courses, students in primary and secondary initial teacher training, teachers on in-service courses, support staff for special educational needs.

First Published in 1990. Central to the vision of teachers researching their own practice was the belief that the improvement of teaching and learning in schools could best be achieved through the development of the critical and creative powers of individual teachers. The research studies in this book, which reflect and extend that vision, serve as accounts of the learning experiences of a group of practitioner researchers. The book has two closely interrelated purposes. The first is to provide information and ideas on the areas of the formal and hidden curriculum into which the practitioners enquired. The second purpose is to provide methodological ideas and assistance for those already engaged in practitioner research and to motivate others to seek an opportunity to undertake some form of research-based enquiry. The two purposes are closely interrelated because of the value the contributors ascribe to taking a research stance to teaching.

Primary education is one of the most important phases of learning but there remains a scarcity of in-depth research on this vital topic. However, as the focus on improving outcomes increases there is a growing interest internationally in research that helps us to understand the best ways to help young children engage with the curriculum in order that they may have the best possible life chances. This text helps to address these issues and consists of seminal articles derived from the forty-year history of the journal Education 3-13, which can claim to be one of the most important and influential publications in its field. The chapters included have been chosen carefully to represent a wide range of key topics in research on primary education and the text is sub-divided into five sections, each of which has been edited by leading academics who specialise in the topic under scrutiny. The sections include: * Learning and teaching, including the psychology and philosophy of primary education; * Key challenges in primary education, including changes to the governance of schools, and educational management and leadership; * The primary curriculum, including Maths, Science, IT and Technology Education; * The primary curriculum, including English, Humanities and the Arts; and, * Primary teachers' work and professionalism. Many of the contributions are written by seminal figures in academic research. The text will be especially relevant to students and researchers engaged the study of primary education as well as to practitioners, advisers and policy makers and will prove an invaluable resource for those wishing to gain an overview of research into primary education. It is recommended especially for those who wish to understand the development of primary education and the many twists and turns in theory, practice and policy that have influenced its development over the period of a generation. Those who read the text will come across the origins of many of the ideas that continue to influence primary teaching today as well as very recent research on where we are now in this important subject area.

This text discusses the theory and practice of several important areas of cross-curricular work in primary schools. It uses the National Curriculum Council's categories of themes, skills and dimensions to examine what is involved in such practice and to consider its current status in schools and future possibilities.; Providing practical suggestions for more well- established areas such as environmental studies, it also examines topical but under-represented themes, skills and dimensions such as media education, pupil self-assessment and discipline. The authors argue that cross-curricular practice both contributes to National Curriculum requirements and gives these requirements overall coherence. Cross- curricular practice also enables children to develop the knowledge, skills and concepts that are of value in coping with, and enjoying, the complexities of the 21st century. Suggestions are provided on how to provide leadership and stimulate staff interest in these areas by reviewing existing policies, teaching and resources.

Primary education is one of the most important phases of learning but there remains a scarcity of in-depth research on this vital topic. However, as the focus on improving outcomes increases there is a growing interest internationally in research that helps us to understand the best ways to help young children engage with the curriculum in order that they may have the best possible life chances. This text helps to address these issues and consists of seminal articles derived from the forty-year history of the journal Education 3-13, which can claim to be one of the most important and influential publications in its field. The chapters included have been chosen carefully to represent a wide range of key topics in research on primary education and the text is sub-divided into five sections, each of which has been edited by leading academics who specialise in the topic under scrutiny. The sections include: * Learning and teaching, including the psychology and philosophy of primary education; * Key challenges in primary education, including changes to the governance of schools, and educational management and leadership; * The primary curriculum, including Maths, Science, IT and Technology Education; * The primary curriculum, including English, Humanities and the Arts; and, * Primary teachers' work and professionalism. Many of the contributions are written by seminal figures in academic research. The text will be especially relevant to students and researchers engaged the study of primary education as well as to practitioners, advisers and policy makers and will prove an invaluable resource for those wishing to gain an overview of research into primary education. It is recommended especially for those who wish to understand the development of primary education and the many twists and turns in theory, practice and policy that have influenced its development over the period of a generation. Those who read the text will come across the origins of many of the ideas that continue to influence primary teaching today as well as very recent research on where we are now in this important subject area.

First Published in 1990. Central to the vision of teachers researching their own practice was the belief that the improvement of teaching and learning in schools could best be achieved through the development of the critical and creative powers of individual teachers. The research studies in this book, which reflect and extend that vision, serve as accounts of the learning experiences of a group of practitioner researchers. The book has two closely interrelated purposes. The first is to provide information and ideas on the areas of the formal and hidden curriculum into which the practitioners enquired. The second purpose is to provide methodological ideas and assistance for those already engaged in practitioner research and to motivate others to seek an opportunity to undertake some form of research-based enquiry. The two purposes are closely interrelated because of the value the contributors ascribe to taking a research stance to teaching.

This book increases understanding of, and provides inspiration for, the conduct of research in primary/elementary education. It discusses and evaluates the selection and development of research methods used for their own innovatory projects. They explore the relationship between their choice of research methods, the frameworks for analysis used and research findings. In so doing they address the topical and controversial issues posed by these methods and alternative data-gathering techniques. These include: the case for the use of random-controlled trials to inform policy-making and improve classroom practice the role of mixed methods to investigate the social aspects of inclusion children as researchers researching their peers the relationship between research and teacher development an analysis of the portrayal of teachers and education in the regional and national news the contribution of qualitative research in cross-national projects. In research on teaching and learning in primary schools, accessing the views and experiences of children is crucial. Consequently, the possibilities and limitations of data collection techniques for collecting the views of children are central and concerns about validity and ethics posed by the power relationships between researchers and research participants are examined. This book was based on a special issue of Educational 3-13 International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education.