Research Methods for Social Justice and Equity in Education

Research Methods for Social Justice and Equity in Education offers researchers a full understanding of crucial concepts, showing how they can be used as a means to develop practical strategies for undertaking research that makes a difference to the lives of marginalised and disadvantaged learners. It explores different conceptualisations of social justice and equity, and guides the reader through a discussion of their implications for conducting educational research that is both moral and ethical. It also examines how these concepts can be enacted within the context of various research methods, both well-known and more innovative.

The authors draw on real, practical examples from a range of educational contexts, including early childhood, special and inclusive education, and adult education. They incorporate cultures from both western and developing nations to exemplify how researchers can use methods that contribute to the creation of more equitable education systems. This approach provides a global perspective on the contrasting and creative ways in which researchers reflect on and integrate principles of social justice into their methods and methodological decision making.

The book encourages readers to think critically about their own research by asking key questions, such as: what contribution can research for equity and social justice make to new and emerging methods and methodologies? And how can researchers implement socially just research methods from a position of power?

In conclusion, the book proposes various methods and methodologies that researchers can use to challenge inequality and work towards social justice, offering a springboard from which they can further their own studies.