The Case for Problem-Making Research in the Developmental University

  • Vachel W. Miller Department of Leadership & Educational Studies, Appalachian State University, North Carolina, USA

Abstract

Everyone knows that research should solve problems. It’s common sense, especially in the context of lower-income countries striving to improve the living conditions for all citizens. Ethiopian universities are now being encouraged to conduct more problem-solving research and thus function as “developmental universities†in support of national growth priorities. However, advocates of problem-solving research have overlooked a major problem. In this essay, I suggest that the discourse of problem-solving research may constrain our research questions and neglect problems that call for critical attention. To widen our research discourse and our research vision, I propose that problem-solving research should be complimented by problem-making research, i.e., research that highlights otherwise hidden issues – including who has the power to frame “problems†– and challenges us to look more critically at the consequences of our “solutionsâ€.

References

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Published
2016-06-01
How to Cite
W. Miller, V. (2016). The Case for Problem-Making Research in the Developmental University. Bahir Dar Journal of Education, 16(2). Retrieved from http://journals.bdu.edu.et/index.php/bje/article/view/24
Issue
Vol. 16 No. 2 (2016)
Section
Articles

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