Our research community was actively involved in this year’s Faculty Research Day (28th of Feb, 2025), in the Faculty of Educational Sciences, the University of Helsinki contributing to discussions on faculty’s research infrastructures and research methods in the field of special education.
In the morning, our research community organizers Professor Pirjo Aunio and Doctoral Researcher Terhi Vessonen participated in the discussion within Research Communities, focusing on Research Methodological Expertise in the Faculty of Educational Sciences. Professor Aunio summarized the various research methods that our research community members utilize in their work and presented a visualization of these key areas. She especially highlighted that our research community has expertise in qualitative and quantitative observational methods (longitudinal especially), quasi-experimental interventions, and systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
In the afternoon, we hosted our own session titled "Research Methodological Approaches to Special Education." This event featured lightning presentations, where our members introduced different methodological approaches relevant to studying special educational needs. The session elicited discussions and collaboration around the methods and what aspects should be taken into account when applying such approaches.
The following methodologies were presented:
- Visual-based qualitative data analysis (Doctoral Researcher Katri Pardon)
- Meta-analysis (Doctoral Researcher Terhi Vessonen)
- Measurement validation (Postdoctoral Researcher Anssi Vanhala)
- Quantitative ethnography (University Lecturer Kati Sormunen)
- Co-occurrence network analysis (University Lecturer Kati Sormunen)
- Longitudinal cross-lagged panel modeling (Doctoral Researcher Natalia Stalchenko)
- Critical policy discourse analysis (University Lecturer Sai Väyrynen)
- Change laboratory (Postdoctoral Researcher Piia Ruutu)
By sharing our methodological expertise, we hope to contribute to advancing high-quality research in special education and strengthening collaboration within the faculty.
We enjoyed the Faculty Research Day and look forward to seeing how these discussions build the Faculty’s research infrastructure and collaboration.