Approaches

Dr.Alice Mwesigwa
Approaches
• As a discipline, comparative
education is very dynamic.
• The methods used vary and have
kept on changing from time to
time depending on the body of
knowledge.
APPROACHES INCLUDE
• Descriptive approach
• Historical approach
• Case study approach
• Cross Cultural study approach
• Scientific Research approach
• Area Study approach
• Field Study Approach
• Use of relevant theories approach
Descriptive Approach
• Education issues, systems and problems
are described basing on systemically
collected data from facts and observation.
• Every thing in the area of study is
described in its current state & and
condition.
• The accumulated data forms a basis for
comparison & analysis of educational
issues.
Organizations responsible for
such studies
• International bureau of
education(IBE)
• United Nations education scientific
& cultural organization (UNESCO)
• Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development
(OECD)
QUESTION
• Explain the strength and weakness of
this approach?
Historical Approach
• This deals with historical
explanations and investigations of
traditions connected with education.
• Establishes the relationship between
certain determining factors and the
actual policies in education.
• Reflection and presentation of key
historical events in education in
different countries.
Question
• Outline the advantages and
disadvantages of historical
approach?
• Explain how the history of
Uganda affects the current
education system?
CROSS CULTURAL STUDIES
APPROACH
• This is where similar studies are made
across different cultures in many
countries.
• International bodies such as UNESCO
collect comparative education data mainly
through questionnaires and observations.
• Analyzed information is presented to the
public through; official reports of ministry
of education, newspapers, magazines e.t.c
Question
•With clear examples explain
how cultural beliefs and
practices influences the
education system of your
country?
CASE STUDY APPROACH
• This approach deals with detailed
examination & analysis of a particular
issue or problem as it stands.
• It’s examination of a particular
situation or phenomenon/program
e.g Universal Education
• Causes /explanations and background
may be established
Question
• Explain the weakness and strength of
case study as an approach in carrying
out comparative education studies?
AREA STUDY APPROACH.
• Area could be a country, a town, a
region etc depending on the interest of
the researcher.
• The researcher gets engaged in the
Educational practices of only one
country & examines all its activities from
which he draws a body of generalization
on this particular educational system
Question
• Outline the advantages and
disadvantaged of area study
approach?
FIELD STUDY APPROACH
• Here the researcher travels to foreign
country/s, studies & analyses the facts
concerning the general way of life in that
society.
• Among the things analyzed could be the
similarities & differences in the way of
educating children since this forms a key
component in every society
Stages
• Three stages are identified in this
approach ie
• Preparatory stage
• Investigatory & analytical stage
• Evaluatory comparative stage
THE SCIENTIFIC APPROACH
• The study is carried out by
formulating the hypothesis, defining
the important concepts, setting study
variables as well as conditions for
establishing the validity of the
formulated hypothesis.
DEVELOPMENT & USE OF
RELEVANT THEORIES
• Education issues have also been identified
& classified using various theories which
include,
• Modernization theory; Education
influences the political, economic & social
modernization of societies.
• Governments at times base their
education on western models eg the use
of computers, English language etc.
Question
• Discuss how modernization is
changing the traditional settings
and patterns of life in your
society today?
CON’T
• Dependency theory; Colonial powers
created a dependency syndrome which
has continued even in the post
independence period.
• Only those traditional educational systems
that were seen as of economic & strategic
value to the colonial powers were
developed. Eg the education provided
depended on classes
Question
• To what extent has the
dependency syndrome continued
to influence the education system
of your country?.