西方价值观教育评价的研究范式与研究方法

Evaluating Western Values Education: Research Paradigm and Methodology

In some of the Western Countries， such as the U . S. and Australia， values education (or character education) in schools has become widespread . Efforts to understand the effectiveness of specitic values education projects are gaining much attendance in academia . The existing research in this regard differs in their paradigms and methodology . The scientfic-experimental model examines the changes of values by measuring behaviors and attitudes， and identities the statistical correlation or even casual effects be- tween factors. Research with the interpretivist paradigm， as well as action research， values the subjectivity of students and teachers. The former accounts for the effectiveness of values education from the perspectives of students， teachers and parents； and the latter promotes their active participation in the evaluating process by encouraging active thinking and reflection . Quantitative research， qualitative research and action research all could play an important role in the evaluation of values education. In large scale values education evaluation， these three methods should be used in conjunction.