Important but Not Applicable: Relevance and Use of Research by Teachers in Spain

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: Division K - Section 06:Transformations in Teacher Education Policies, Research, and Practices Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Decision-making in education should be evidenced-based: research improves teaching practice and student outcomes. For this, teachers must engage with research evidence. In Spain, however, few studies address how teachers understand and value educational research and the use of sources of information they make. In this quantitative cross-sectional study, we applied an ad hoc questionnaire to 462 childhood and primary teachers from Spain. Findings show they perceive research as important, but an academic product disconnected from reality than applicable to their practice. Thus, they rely on web pages and books rather than on academic papers. Conclusions state that to increase the use of research in educational practice, teachers need to have the necessary skills to access, use, and produce research.

Authors

• Cecilia Inés Suárez Rivarola, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

• Anna Diaz-Vicario, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona