Quantitative research methods in educational science

Quantitative research methods are one way of generating reliable statements on fundamental questions in educational research. Our working group utilizes modern statistical methods as tools for internationally oriented educational research. The knowledge gained from this is a necessary prerequisite for educational theory on the one hand, but also for evidence-based educational practice on the other. The focus of these applied statistics is, for example, the latent modelling of intra-individual changes or the modelling of selection and socialization processes of friendship dyads.

The basic research of our working group focuses on development across the lifespan. Developmental and educational processes take place from conception to death. This life-span orientation is one of the central paradigms of educational research in recent years. Based on this premise, various contexts are examined to determine the extent to which they contribute to lifelong development. On the one hand, there are formal contexts such as kindergarten, school or university. On the other hand, there are non-formal contexts, such as the family or peer group. Our working group researches learning, development, education and socialization processes in these contexts. The aim is to understand developmental processes across the lifespan and, above all, the role of contexts in these processes. Transitions between different contexts, such as the transition from school to university, are an important aspect of our research.