TY - JOUR
T1 - A better use of the shoulders we stand on
T2 - meta-analyses in the history of education
AU - Geiss, Michael
AU - Westberg, Johannes
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited.
PY - 2024/11/14
Y1 - 2024/11/14
N2 - Purpose: This article argues that the potential of the vast amount of research, published each year in the history of education, remains untapped. Given the rapidly growing number of academic publications in the field, there is a need for research that is based on articles, chapters and monographs already published. While analyses of existing research publications are widely used in other academic disciplines, such approaches remain under-utilized in the history of education. Design/methodology/approach: The argument of this article is supported in three steps. Firstly, we distinguish between different forms of research using existing data and research publications, in particular secondary analyses, systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses. Due to the heterogeneous nature of research publications in educational history, this article argues for the method of qualitative meta-analysis. Secondly, we discuss the risks and methodological pitfalls of research using existing research publications, outlining possible areas of application and discuss examples of meta-analyses in educational history. Finally, the article explores the implications of an increased use of meta-analyses, especially for the editors of scientific journals. Findings: This article provides an introduction to the main features of meta-analysis as applied in history of education. By promoting qualitative meta-analyses as original research, we argue that journals could help ensure that the potential for vibrant and highly productive research in the history of education is fully realized. Originality/value: Despite that the use of published research is widely discussed in the behavioural and social sciences, there is a lack of reflection on how to use the knowledge produced in the history of education. By presenting qualitative meta-analysis, this article provides a starting point for such a discussion.
AB - Purpose: This article argues that the potential of the vast amount of research, published each year in the history of education, remains untapped. Given the rapidly growing number of academic publications in the field, there is a need for research that is based on articles, chapters and monographs already published. While analyses of existing research publications are widely used in other academic disciplines, such approaches remain under-utilized in the history of education. Design/methodology/approach: The argument of this article is supported in three steps. Firstly, we distinguish between different forms of research using existing data and research publications, in particular secondary analyses, systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses. Due to the heterogeneous nature of research publications in educational history, this article argues for the method of qualitative meta-analysis. Secondly, we discuss the risks and methodological pitfalls of research using existing research publications, outlining possible areas of application and discuss examples of meta-analyses in educational history. Finally, the article explores the implications of an increased use of meta-analyses, especially for the editors of scientific journals. Findings: This article provides an introduction to the main features of meta-analysis as applied in history of education. By promoting qualitative meta-analyses as original research, we argue that journals could help ensure that the potential for vibrant and highly productive research in the history of education is fully realized. Originality/value: Despite that the use of published research is widely discussed in the behavioural and social sciences, there is a lack of reflection on how to use the knowledge produced in the history of education. By presenting qualitative meta-analysis, this article provides a starting point for such a discussion.
KW - Historical research
KW - History of education
KW - Meta-analysis
KW - Methodology
KW - Research literature
KW - Secondary analysis
KW - Systematic literature review
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85205893281&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1108/HER-02-2024-0008
DO - 10.1108/HER-02-2024-0008
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85205893281
SN - 0311-3248
VL - 53
SP - 213
EP - 227
JO - History of Education Review
JF - History of Education Review
IS - 3
ER -