Schools and educational organizations collect enormous amounts of information, from assessment scores and attendance records to graduation rates, student surveys, and classroom observations.
But collecting data isn’t the same as conducting research.
Educational research provides a systematic way to investigate questions about teaching, learning, and educational outcomes. It helps educators understand challenges, evaluate instructional practices, and make decisions supported by credible evidence.
Whether examining student achievement, evaluating a new program, or exploring how students experience learning, educational research plays an important role in improving educational practice.
What Is Educational Research?
Educational research is the systematic study of questions related to education, teaching, learning, and educational systems.
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) describes education research as a field that examines learning processes and the individuals, organizations, and institutions that influence educational outcomes.
Educational research can investigate a wide range of topics, including:
- Teaching methods and instructional strategies
- Student achievement and learning outcomes
- Curriculum development and educational technology
- Assessment and measurement
- Student engagement and school climate
- Educational leadership and policy
- Higher education and student success
- Educational programs and interventions
What connects these topics is a systematic approach to asking questions, gathering evidence, and interpreting findings.
Why Is Educational Research Important?
Educators make decisions every day that influence student learning.
Teachers select instructional strategies. Administrators evaluate programs. Districts adopt curricula. Universities develop student-success initiatives.
Educational research helps professionals determine whether these decisions are supported by evidence.
For example, a school might observe that students participating in a tutoring program earn higher grades.
However, that observation doesn’t necessarily mean tutoring caused the improvement. Students who participate might differ in motivation, prior achievement, or other characteristics.
Research methods help educators investigate these possibilities and distinguish meaningful findings from unsupported assumptions.
Ultimately, educational research supports evidence-informed decision-making, helping professionals combine research findings with experience, context, and professional judgment.
What Are the Main Types of Educational Research?
Educational researchers use different methods depending on the questions they’re investigating.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research uses numerical data and statistical methods to examine patterns, relationships, and differences.
Researchers may analyze assessment scores, attendance records, survey responses, or graduation rates.
For example, a quantitative study might investigate whether students participating in a particular intervention demonstrate different academic outcomes from comparable students who don’t participate.
Statistical analysis helps researchers evaluate findings and determine what conclusions the evidence supports.
Qualitative Research
Qualitative research focuses on understanding experiences, perspectives, behaviors, and processes.
Researchers may collect information through interviews, focus groups, observations, or document analysis.
For example, a qualitative study might explore how first-generation college students describe their experiences accessing academic support services.
This approach can provide valuable insight into why certain patterns occur and how individuals experience educational environments.
Mixed Methods Research
Mixed methods research combines quantitative and qualitative approaches.
For example, a university might use enrollment data to identify declining participation in a student-support program.
Researchers could then conduct interviews to understand why students aren’t using the available services.
Combining numerical trends with personal experiences can provide a more complete understanding of educational challenges.
What Is the Educational Research Process?
Although research designs vary, most educational studies involve several important stages.
1. Identify a Research Question
Research begins by defining a specific question or problem.
For example, rather than asking why students aren’t engaged, a researcher might investigate how participation in online discussions relates to course completion.
A clear question guides the research design and determines what evidence is needed.
2. Review Existing Research
Researchers examine previous studies to understand what is already known, identify gaps, and determine which methods may be appropriate.
This helps ensure that new investigations build on existing knowledge.
3. Select a Research Design
The research question determines whether quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods approaches are most appropriate.
Researchers must also consider sampling, measurement, ethical responsibilities, and potential limitations.
4. Collect and Analyze Data
Depending on the study, researchers may gather information through assessments, surveys, interviews, observations, or existing institutional records.
They then analyze the evidence using methods appropriate to the research design.
5. Interpret and Communicate Findings
Researchers evaluate what the results mean, consider alternative explanations, and acknowledge limitations.
Findings may inform instructional practices, program improvements, educational policies, or future research.
Why Do Research Design and Measurement Matter?
A large dataset doesn’t automatically produce trustworthy conclusions.
Research quality depends on selecting appropriate methods and accurately measuring the intended concepts.
For example, a university might use a learning management system activity to measure student engagement.
However, login frequency alone may not accurately represent meaningful participation or learning.
Researchers must consider whether their measures provide appropriate evidence for the questions they’re investigating.
The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing provide professional guidance on validity, reliability, and other important measurement considerations.
Validity concerns whether evidence supports the interpretation and intended use of assessment results, while reliability concerns the consistency and dependability of measurement.
Understanding these principles helps researchers avoid drawing conclusions that exceed what their evidence supports.
What Is the Difference Between Educational Research and Program Evaluation?
Educational research and program evaluation use many of the same methods, but their purposes can differ.
Educational research often seeks to develop broader knowledge about teaching, learning, or educational systems.
Program evaluation typically focuses on understanding the implementation, effectiveness, or value of a specific program or initiative.
For example, a school district might evaluate whether a new reading intervention is reaching the intended students and producing expected outcomes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Program Evaluation Framework provides guidance on systematically evaluating programs and using findings to support improvement.
Both educational research and program evaluation help organizations make informed decisions about policies, programs, and practices.
Who Uses Educational Research?
Educational research skills are valuable beyond traditional academic research positions.
Professionals who conduct or apply educational research include teachers, school administrators, institutional researchers, assessment specialists, program evaluators, government researchers, and educational consultants.
For example, a classroom teacher might examine assessment results to improve instruction, while a university researcher might investigate factors associated with student retention.
Government agencies and nonprofit organizations may also use research to evaluate educational initiatives and determine whether programs are achieving their goals.
Across these settings, research expertise helps professionals ask meaningful questions, evaluate evidence, and communicate findings.
How Does Educational Research Improve Decision-Making?
Educational research provides a structured approach to investigating challenges rather than relying solely on assumptions.
It can help organizations identify learning needs, evaluate interventions, understand student experiences, and determine whether initiatives are producing intended outcomes.
However, research findings have limitations.
A study conducted in one district may not produce identical results elsewhere. A survey may describe participants’ experiences without representing an entire population. A statistical relationship doesn’t automatically establish causation.
Recognizing these limitations helps educators interpret research responsibly and apply findings appropriately.
The Institute of Education Sciences provides research, evaluations, and evidence-based resources to support educational decision-making.
Develop Educational Research Expertise at Kent State University
Kent State University’s 100% online Master of Education in Research, Measurement, and Statistics helps educators and professionals develop advanced expertise in research methodology, assessment, measurement, statistics, and program evaluation.
The program explores quantitative and qualitative research methods, statistical analysis, survey design, and evidence-based evaluation practices.
Students strengthen their ability to select appropriate research methods, analyze data, evaluate measurement quality, and interpret findings.
These skills can support professionals working in schools, higher education, research organizations, government agencies, and other settings where evidence-informed decisions matter.
Build Better Decisions Through Educational Research
Educational research helps professionals move beyond observations and assumptions toward systematic investigation.
By asking meaningful questions, collecting appropriate evidence, and carefully interpreting findings, educators and researchers can better understand educational challenges and identify opportunities for improvement.
Research doesn’t eliminate uncertainty or replace professional judgment. Instead, it provides stronger evidence to support decisions that affect students, programs, and educational institutions.
Explore Kent State University’s 100% online Master of Education in Research, Measurement, and Statistics to develop advanced skills in educational research, assessment, statistical analysis, and program evaluation.
