I am a graduate student, and my class is currently looking at the differences (and similarities) between research and evaluation. We are also currently looking at the work of Mertens’ Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology (2020) when examining four educational research paradigms (I’ve attached a picture from that book that shows labels commonly associated with different paradigms as a quick descriptor).
I am wondering: What do you believe to be the differences and/or similarities of research and evaluation? Which of the four educational research paradigms (Postpositivism; Constructivism; Transformative; Pragmatic) do you most align with?
Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts!