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Perspectives Into How Research Evidence Informs Decision Making in Irish Schools

Thu, April 24, 1:45 to 3:15pm MDT (1:45 to 3:15pm MDT), The Colorado Convention Center, Floor: Ballroom Level, Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3

Abstract

In Ireland, the integration of research findings to inform educational decisions is increasingly acknowledged as vital in shaping both national and school-level policies. There are three ways in which evidence can inform educational policy and practice: conceptual, instrumental, and symbolic. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Fall 2023 with seven educational researchers and ten teachers from both primary and secondary schools. The purpose was to examine how research is utilized at both the individual and systems-levels in Irish schools. The findings highlight the intricate nature of applying research evidence to inform educational decisions. Most interviewees reported employing research evidence conceptually, while instances of practical and symbolic applications were also noted.

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