Design-based research
Refine educational designs and theory together
Design-based research develops and studies educational innovations through iterative cycles in authentic settings. Designs embody theoretical conjectures, which evidence helps refine alongside practical materials or activities. Researchers document implementation, context and adaptations so that claims explain how and why learning may occur. It differs from simply piloting a resource by making theoretical development and systematic analysis explicit.
Choose it when an educational problem needs a novel intervention and collaboration permits repeated implementation, detailed process evidence and revision, with a research question linking design features to learning processes.
Strengths
- Studies innovations within the complexity of real educational settings
- Connects practical development with theory refinement
Limitations
- Changing designs complicate attribution and comparison
- Rich cycles demand substantial access, time and documentation
Know the boundary
Iterative improvement does not by itself identify the causal contribution of each changed feature.