Causal Inference, Scientific Evidence, and Educational Research: Discussion on the Educational Research of Nobel Laureates in Economics in 2021

doi:10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2022.04.001

Abstract

Abstract:

In recent thirty years, causal inference method has become the mainstream method of quantitative research in social science and has been widely used in the field of education. In 2021, the Nobel Economics Prize was awarded to David Card, Joshua D. Angrist, and Guido W. Imbens for their contributions to promoting the development of causal inference methods. Taking the causal inference research of the three economists in the field of education as the starting point, firstly, this paper discusses the dual attributes of educational research, which have both humanistic care and scientific rationality, and expounds the significance of obtaining effective causal evidence in promoting the development of educational science research. Secondly, this paper introduces in detail the important research findings made by the three Nobel Prize winners in the aspects of Return to Education, the effect of Small Class Teaching, and the effect of school investment on the development of students’ cognitive ability. Lastly, this paper discusses the existing problems and future improvement direction of educational causal studies in China.

Key words: causal inference, scientific evidences, educational research, Nobel Economics Prize

Bin Huang, Bo Li. Causal Inference, Scientific Evidence, and Educational Research: Discussion on the Educational Research of Nobel Laureates in Economics in 2021[J]. Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences), 2022, 40(4): 1-15.

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References 0

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