Abstract
Although there are several criteria for considering "what counts as research," we focus on the criterion of generalizability for teacher-research in this essay. We argue that although teacher-researchers conducting research in their own classrooms are more likely to be concerned with deepening local knowledge about immediate practice than asserting what is termed "generalizability" across a larger educational community, this does not preclude the work of teacher-researchers from fulfilling the criterion of generalizability. In other words, we aim to point out that teacher-research is generalizable. To develop this argument, we first briefly define teacher-research, situating it within interpretive research more broadly. This sets the stage for an exploration of the criterion of generalizability. In making the case for teacher-research as generalizable, we make two central points. First, we examine how the particulars of one context help us see across other contexts, and second, we investigate how the particular questions of teacher-researchers tie to more general theories of teaching and learning.
Recommended Citation
Lowenstein, Karen L. and Damico, James S.
(2003)
"What Counts As Legitimate Research?: The Generalizability of Teacher-Research,"
Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research:
Vol. 6:
Iss.
2.
https://doi.org/10.4148/2470-6353.1161
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