Linking Interpretative Theory To Practice: Examining An Underused Research Tool In Agricultural Education

Mikel Woods, Cary J. Trexler
2001 Journal of Agricultural Education  
Assumptions underlying two distinctly different paradigms -positivism and interpretivismcurrently guide educational research. Although acceptance of interpretivism is increasing within education, positivism remains the dominant paradigm for both education and agricultural education. In an effort to increase the potential for naturalistic inquiry, this paper (1) provides an understanding of the philosophical foundation underlying interpretivism, (2) argues that a distinction exists between
more » ... ology (positivism, interpretivism) and method (quantitative, qualitative), with the former more critical than the latter, (3) proposes that agricultural education fits well with the interpretive paradigm and qualitative methods, and (4) outlines what this approach would look like in practice in terms of research design, data collection, data analysis, and rigor. The intent is to inform practice as well as to clarify criteria appropriate for assessing the merit of agricultural education research based upon the interpretive model.
doi:10.5032/jae.2001.02068 fatcat:6qcpwhieznfv7pbz4bdqr24zd4