Educational Research is the systematic and scientific field of study that examines the processes of teaching and learning. It studies the human characteristics, interactions, organisations and institutions that shape educational outcomes and this area of science seeks to describe, understand and explain how learning occurs throughout an individual’s life and how formal and informal educational settings affect all forms of learning.

Educational Research uses qualitative and quantitative research methods which covers a wide range of topics, including teaching and learning strategies, curriculum design, student motivation, assessment and evaluation, educational technology, and teacher professional development.

The ultimate goal of Educational Research is to improve the quality of education by generating new knowledge and evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice. When students research any topic, they get to know detailed information about that topic and the more the knowledge of the topic, the more successful is the research.

Students majoring in Educational Research work with research teams and on projects throughout their studies, developing their reflective, analytical, and critical thinking skills as well as their capacity to innovate current educational practises. The ability to conceive and create testable research problems and questions will be provided to students, who will also be armed with problem-solving abilities.

Study levels:

A degree programme in Educational Research can improve students’ research skills as they pertain to education theories and systems. Interested candidates can opt for a programme in Educational Research which is offered by colleges and universities in India and abroad at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level. These include:

• Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies
• Bachelor of International Liberal Arts: Interdisciplinary Arts
• Bachelor in Education
• Bachelor of Adolescence Education
• Bachelor of Research and Creative Honours
• Bachelor of Arts in Individualised Study
• Bachelor of Science in Education
• Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Science
• Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Humanities
• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
• Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education
• Master of Education
• Master of Arts in Leadership in Education
• Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Management
• Master of Arts in Educational Sciences
• Master of Arts in Education Policy
• Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Research
• Master of Education in Educational Leadership
• Master of Education with Specialisation in Special Education
• Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
• Master of Education in Leading Learning and Teaching
• Master in Educational Orientation
• Master of Education in Educational Studies
• Master of Research
• Master of Science in Educational Sciences
• Master’s Degree in Research
• Doctoral Degree in Educational Research

Specialisations:

The different areas of specialisation that are offered under Educational Research include:

• Education
• Special Education
• Educational Research
• Adult Education
• Coaching
• School Counselling
• Educational Psychology
• Pedagogy
• Teaching
• Early Childhood Education
• STEM Education
• Primary Education
• Educational Leadership
• Instructional Design
• Teaching English
• Secondary Education
• Art Education
• Higher Education
• Literacy Education
• Health Education

Employability:

Graduates with a degree in Educational Research ought to be able to find employment in a range of settings, including universities, financial institutions, school districts, nonprofit organisations, and other commercial sectors. They might find employment as learning directors, creating new curricula for use in classrooms, or as consultants or counsellors, assisting with the application of study findings to practical issues. Data analyst, research coordinator, education administrator, lead researcher, and measurement adviser are further potential occupations.

Popular job roles include:

• Referrals and assessment manager
• Survey researcher
• Editor
• Writer
• Instructions manager
• Research analyst
• Professor
• Curriculum leader
• Researcher