What We Want, Why We Want It: K-12 Educators' Evidence Use to Support their Grant Proposals

Authors

  • Joel R Malin Miami University-Oxford, Ohio
  • Chris Brown University of Portsmouth
  • Andrew Saultz Miami University-Oxford, Ohio

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22230/ijepl.2019v15n3a837

Keywords:

esearch use, Evidence, Knowledge, Learning, Persuasion

Abstract

This study analyzed educators’ requests for grant funding to purchase desired educational resources or services. Specifically, it examined to what extent, and how, educators utilized research and other forms of evidence to support their decision-making. References to research were sparse, though applicants sometimes referred to local data or small-scale trials. Conceptual research use likely also lurked beneath certain statements. Applicant educators also showed special concern for certain
topics, including student engagement/motivation and enhancing the cultural relevance of programming. The proposals varied considerably in terms of the robustness of underlying theories of action. This line of inquiry contributes to understandings both regarding a) educators’ use of research and other knowledge sources to support their professional decision-making; and b) the nature of evidence use in education.

Author Biographies

Joel R Malin, Miami University-Oxford, Ohio

Joel R. Malin is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at Miami University-Oxford, Ohio and a faculty affiliate with the Office of Community College Research and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A former school psychologist and district-level administrator, his research interests include evidence use, career and college readiness policy and reform, and leadership knowledge and skill development. 

Chris Brown, University of Portsmouth

Chris Brown is a Professor of Education at the University of Portsmouth. His research interests center on how teachers’ use of research and how networks of teachers, academics, and others can lead to improved teaching practice, school improvement, and improved outcomes for children.

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Published

2019-03-27

How to Cite

Malin, J. R., Brown, C., & Saultz, A. (2019). What We Want, Why We Want It: K-12 Educators’ Evidence Use to Support their Grant Proposals. International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.22230/ijepl.2019v15n3a837

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2019): What We Want, Why We Want It: K–12 Educators’ Evidence Use to Support their Grant Proposals

Section

Research Use

License

Copyright (c) 2019 Joel R Malin, Chris Brown, Andrew Saultz

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Copyright for articles published in this journal is retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. By virtue of their appearance in this open access journal, articles are free to use after initial publication under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 Unported License. 

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.