An Examination of Research and Practice in Educational Administration(Restructuring Educational Management Studies)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine a) the characteristics and limitation on research findings in educational administration in terms of their practical effectiveness, and b) the necessity and possibility to establish a close relationship between reserchers and practitioners and, to develop the methodology for research in educational administration. The limitation on research findings in terms of their practical effectiveness was discussed from the point of view of the traditional dichotomy between research and practice. The nature of the research findings in educational administration is characterized by normativeness. This characteristic is due to hierarchical relationship between the research findings and the practical knowledge. In order to change the nature in educational administration, it is neccesary to establish a close and equal relationship between researchers and practitioners and to develop a methodology for practical science. The main problems to be solved are a) to have a common understanding between researchers and practitioners by collecting and investigating the facts about educational administration, b) to promote collaborative problem-solving, and c) to adopt a criterion which is suitable to evaluate research on the practice of educational administration.