Design-Based Research in Educational Settings
Summary
Design-based research (DBR) is an interventionist methodology that unites theoretical insight and practical innovation through iterative cycles of design, implementation and evaluation. Originating in the learning sciences, DBR engages educators, researchers and learners as co-designers of educational artefacts, curricula and technologies. By embedding research within authentic educational environments, DBR seeks both to generate robust theory and to inform sustainable practice. Iterations allow rapid refinement of interventions in response to evidence from classroom trials, teacher feedback and learner outcomes. Across K-12, higher education and professional development contexts, DBR has been applied to diverse challenges such as inclusive pedagogy, technology integration and interdisciplinary learning. Its global significance lies in the capacity to produce contextually rich knowledge and scalable design principles, aiding stakeholders to navigate rapidly evolving curricula and digital landscapes. Practical applications range from flipped-classroom sequences and mobile-learning apps for early years to large-scale STEM education frameworks, each benefiting from the method’s emphasis on collaboration, adaptability and real-time evaluation.
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Design-Based Research in Educational Settings publication trend
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Technical terms
Design-based research (DBR): An interventionist methodology combining iterative design, implementation and evaluation in authentic educational settings to generate both theoretical insight and practical innovation.
Iteration: A cycle of planning, implementation and analysis through which an educational intervention is refined in response to empirical evidence and stakeholder feedback.
Artefact: Any designed educational product—such as a curriculum module, digital tool or instructional sequence—that is developed and tested within a DBR cycle.
Research-practice partnership: A collaborative alliance between researchers and practitioners aimed at co-designing, implementing and studying educational innovations.
Interventionist method: A research approach that actively introduces and examines purposeful changes within real-world learning environments rather than observing them passively.
References
- Design-Based Research in the Educational Field: A Systematic Literature Review. Education Sciences (2022).
- Design-Based Learning as a Pedagogical Approach in an Online Learning Environment for Science Undergraduate Students. Frontiers in Education (2022).
- Developing and Evaluating Educational Innovations for STEAM Education in Rapidly Changing Digital Technology Environments. Sustainability (2022).
- Innovative Pedagogy and Design-Based Research on Flipped Learning in Higher Education. Frontiers in Psychology (2021).
- Development of Game-Based M-Learning Apps for Preschoolers. Education Sciences (2021).
- STEM Practices: A translational framework for large-scale STEM education design. EDeR Educational Design Research (2018).
- Extending the applicability of design-based research through research-practice partnerships. EDeR Educational Design Research (2017).
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