On being systematic and reflective when compiling research

Om att sammanställa forskning

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the importance of compilations of research being both systematic and reflective. The general point about the importance of reflection is illustrated by describing how a specific approach to compiling research, SMART (Systematic Mapping and Analysis of Research Topographies), has been used. SMART is based on a pragmatic perspective. This entails an openness to different scientific research traditions. The pragmatic starting point also means that compilations of research are linked to questions about how society and democracy can be developed. In this article, we describe how the approach has been used to compile research on 1) inclusion and 2) teaching, respectively. Finally, the article discusses 1) the importance of compilations of research being both systematic and reflective 2) the question of how we should understand the increasing number of research reviews in the field of education science and 3) implications of the reasoning in the article for policy and practice.