TRENDS IN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: A REVIEW STUDY OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES OVER THIRTY YEARS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Trends in research methodology selection for the 33 years (1983 – 2015) of the MR2P Conference are presented and analyzed and compared to the research methods used by faculty members in two Arab Universities, one public and private (UAEU'S College of Education & Al Ain University’s College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences).    Findings indicated a strong trend toward qualitative methods which is accelerated in 2007 and continued to 2015. Another finding is reported for the MR2P proceedings (2007-2015).  There was an increase in articles that are not research-based selected in the MR2P.  On the other hand, faculty members at both UEAU and Al Ain University prefer quantitative methods.  Most of their publications are research-based and mostly quantitative.  This means that position papers and data-free research studies are almost unacceptable in the research agenda in the Arab Universities.  To most Education faculty members in the Arab world, research means generating data or evidence or both to support a claim or refute a finding.  Based on the findings of this study, recommendations and implications are offered.