Forthcoming volume on educational research in STEM from RAISE

An exciting new publication involving all current members of RAISE has moved to press today. Perspectives in Contemporary STEM Education Research: Research methodology and design is a forthcoming edited book from Routledge. The editors for the large international volume are RAISE Chair, Dr. Tom Delahunty and RAISE Co-chair, Dr. Máire Ní Ríordáin. There are various chapters available from some of the leading authors at the forefront of contemporary STEM education research, including chapters by RAISE Events Chair, Dr. Mark Prendergast on designing questionnaires, and RAISE P.R.O, Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin on utilising lesson study as a research method.

The book is intended to be a resource for those interested in the field of STEM education and in particular conducting research in these contexts. The book will present an edited collection of contributions from invited lead authors covering philosophical and epistemological considerations on the field of STEM education research as a whole. In addition, there are contributions from researchers in the field of STEM education who have conducted and concluded various studies using innovative methodological implementations across the spectrum of educational provision. These chapters cover the key conceptual and theoretical rationales for the authors’ study as well as detailed explanations of the design and implementation of the respective methodologies and handling of data analyses. The authors provide key suggestions for further learning and development of the reader in relation to the content of the specific chapter. The book should help the reader develop an understanding and appreciation for research in STEM education as an epistemological undertaking as well as developing knowledge of key methodologies and practical undertaking of research. While there are several compendiums on STEM education in the available literature, these primarily focus on the developing field of STEM education or on the specific methods of teaching and learning within the discipline. To our knowledge, this is the first volume that attempts to provide methodological guidance, in terms of both theoretical and applied considerations, for the contemporary STEM education researcher and should be a valuable addition to graduate education in the field.

The book is available to pre-order from the 22nd of September, 2022 and will be available from the 13th of October.