Jan?Eric Gustafsson
Effects of International Comparative Studies on Educational Quality on the Quality of Educational Research
University of Gothenburg
largescale survey studies educational achievement becoming increasingly frequent visibly present educational policy debates within educational research community one main aim studies provide descriptions inputs processes outcomes another aim provide explanations different factors interrelate produce educational outcomes aims difficult reach combination fact comparative studies typically policy driven theory driven reasons studies contested quality grounds article set fundamental methodological challenges related validity measurement instruments possibility making inferences causality identified discussed relation examples different studies strengths weaknesses different research approaches discussed proposed dichotomy qualitative quantitative approaches replaced distinctions lowand highlevel inference approaches respect data generalization explanation concluded international studies easily invite misuse misinterpretation also offer possibilities improving quality educational research highquality data generated studies taken advantage research causal effects factors educational systems