Journal article

Vacant or viable? Niche as metaphor for understanding the status of German and Canadian research approaches in adult education


Authors listKapplinger, Bernd; Clair, Ralf St.

Publication year2023

Pages245-259

JournalEuropean Journal for Research on the Education and Learning of Adults

Volume number14

Issue number2

ISSN2000-7426

Open access statusGold

DOI Linkhttps://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.4160

PublisherLinköpings University Electronic Press


Abstract
Beginning with Boeren's (2018) or Rubenson and Elfert's (2019) claims of under -recognition of quantitative methodology in adult education, authors use the ecological niche from biology as a metaphorical and heuristic model in order to consider the mechanisms determining the viability of research methodologies in education for adults. The authors discuss ecosystem factors affecting research methodologies and consider the situations of Germany and Canada to illustrate application of the niche metaphor. The conclusion stresses the complementary relevance and integrative value of different forms of research. Addressing diverse questions requires diverse methodologies and a rich ecosystem of resources and research capabilities.



Citation Styles

Harvard Citation styleKapplinger, B. and Clair, R. (2023) Vacant or viable? Niche as metaphor for understanding the status of German and Canadian research approaches in adult education, European Journal for Research on the Education and Learning of Adults, 14(2), pp. 245-259. https://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.4160

APA Citation styleKapplinger, B., & Clair, R. (2023). Vacant or viable? Niche as metaphor for understanding the status of German and Canadian research approaches in adult education. European Journal for Research on the Education and Learning of Adults. 14(2), 245-259. https://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.4160



Keywords


adult education researchCanadacomparativequantitative research

Last updated on 2025-10-06 at 11:55