Interdisciplinary Research Methodologies in Engineering Education Research

TL;DR

This paper reviews interdisciplinary research methodologies in Engineering Education Research (EER), emphasizing the importance of cross-disciplinary partnerships and rigorous methods to advance learning theories and curriculum development.

Contribution

It provides an overview of core EER methodologies and promotes collaboration between engineering, psychology, and social sciences for innovative research.

Findings

Highlights the need for interdisciplinary partnerships

Outlines core methodological traditions in EER

Encourages collaboration for rigorous research

Abstract

As Engineering Education Research (EER) develops as a discipline it is necessary for EER scholars to contribute to the development of learning theory rather than simply being informed by it. It has been suggested that to do this effectively will require partnerships between Engineering scholars and psychologists, education researchers, including other social scientists. The formation of such partnerships is particularly important when considering the introduction of business-related skills into engineering curriculum designed to prepare 21st Century Engineering Students for workplace challenges. In order to encourage scholars beyond Engineering to engage with EER, it is necessary to provide an introduction to the complexities of EER. With this aim in mind, this paper provides an outline review of what is considered rigorous research from an EER perspective as well as highlighting some of the core methodological traditions of EER. The paper aims to facilitate further discussion between EER scholars and researchers from other disciplines, ultimately leading to future collaboration on innovative and rigorous EER.