Q1. Explain the meaning of educational research. Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative approaches to conducting educational research.
- Educational research systematically studies educational problems to improve understanding and practice.
- Its purpose is to generate knowledge, solve problems, test theories, and evaluate educational interventions.
- Quantitative research uses numerical data, statistics, and large samples to test hypotheses and generalize findings.
- Qualitative research uses non-numerical data like interviews and observations to deeply understand meaning and context in small samples.
Answer: Educational research is a systematic and scientific process of inquiry applied to educational problems and phenomena. As discussed in Block 1, Unit 1 of MES-016, it involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data to understand, explain, predict, and control educational situations, ultimately aiming to improve teaching-learning processes, curriculum, policy, and administration. It draws upon various disciplines like psychology, sociology, and philosophy to build a robust knowledge b...