Quality criteria and exemplary papers in chemistry education research

Abstract

There has been a discussion about quality criteria in chemistry education research in the scientific community. This paper is based upon the idea that the values prevailing in research are reflected in the criteria that are suggested and used to judge research papers. Two research questions were addressed: what are the quality criteria of research in chemistry education; and in what ways do exemplary papers meet quality criteria? The quality criteria were ascertained from the literature. Exemplary papers to illustrate the criteria were selected from a sample of 81 research papers published in JRST and IJSE 1991-1997. The result was a list of criteria subsumed in six categories. Five exemplary studies were chosen to illustrate the criteria. The criteria are discussed in terms of underlying values. This paper contributes initial ideas and intends to trigger a discussion of quality criteria in chemistry education research.