On the Evolution of Educational Research Methodology in Modern China

Educational research methodology plays the role of guiding and standardizing educational researches. The conscious and systematic educational research in China began with the introduction of the western educational theory and establishment and development of new education in modern China. The methodology or methodology ideas experienced six changes. They are the educational research with the characteristic of purpose—method thinking, the educational research with the characteristic of practicality—positivity thinking, the educational research guided by Marxist theory, the educational research based on Marxism and the Soviet Union ideology, the educational research standardized by the guidelines and policies, and the educational research with pluralistic orientation. The methodology today has generated the following three pairs of relationships needing serious attention: the relationships between the introduction of foreign educational theory and our own educational realities, the educational research and practice, inheritance and absorption.