Should Philosophers of Education Wear Lab Coats? Promoting Philosophy-as-Method in Educational Research

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: Empirically Engaged Philosophy of Education: Examining the Relationships Between Philosophy and Educational Research

Abstract

I argue that while it’s important that philosophers do empirical work (qualitative and quantitative) in order to help address the erosion of philosophical approaches to education, it is important to promote philosophy itself as a legitimate alternative to qualitative and quantitative research. This ‘tacit empiricism’ is evident in many popular educational research textbooks, which determines what is considered legitimate ways of knowing and conducting educational research. My analysis of publicly available Educational Research Methodology course syllabi and textbooks indicates that some 90% assume empirical research as equivalent to the very notion of ‘research’. These questions are raised in order to explore the most effective ways to promote philosophy/humanities/non-empirical research.

Author

• Trevor Paul Norris, Brock University