Learning research in a laboratory classroom: Complementarity and commensurability in juxtaposing multiple interpretive accounts

Man Ching , Esther Chan , David R. Clarke (1)

1 SEAS - Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

The utilisation of multiple theories in a single research study requires careful consideration with respect to the complementarity of the theories and the commensurability of the associated research accounts in relation to the specific setting or research site. This paper proposes that commensurability is constructed to facilitate the comparison that researchers are trying to make. The Social Unit of Learning project is conducted in a laboratory classroom facility equipped with 10 built-in cameras and up to 32 audio channels allowing structured, rigorous, fine-grained investigation of the social aspects of classroom practice. The rich and detailed data generated allows parallel analyses predicated on different theories. Complementarity of theories is distinguished from commensurability of research accounts, which requires the identification of operationalised constructs (e.g., categories or measures) common to the accounts generated.

Keywords: Classroom research; video technology; research methodology; research design

Domains: Mathematics [math]; Humanities and Social Sciences

Man Ching, Esther Chan, David R. Clarke. Learning research in a laboratory classroom: Complementarity and commensurability in juxtaposing multiple interpretive accounts. CERME 10, Feb 2017, Dublin, Ireland. ⟨hal-01948865⟩