General and Special Education Teachers' Attitudes towards Evidence-Based Practice

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Bibliographic Details
Title: General and Special Education Teachers' Attitudes towards Evidence-Based Practice
Language: English
Authors: Lea Rüger (ORCID 0000-0002-6927-7636), David Scheer (ORCID 0000-0002-0534-7869)
Source: Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs. 2025 25(2):323-340.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Special Education Teachers, Regular and Special Education Relationship, Teacher Attitudes, Evidence Based Practice, Test Construction, Questionnaires, Positive Attitudes
Geographic Terms: Germany
DOI: 10.1111/1471-3802.12727
ISSN: 1471-3802
Abstract: In the context of special and inclusive education, applying evidence-based practice (EBP) is important for providing equal access to effective and efficient education for students, regardless of their ability status. However, there is a relevant research-practice gap in this area. To better understand how teachers can be supported using evidence-based interventions and to identify training and development needs, we developed a questionnaire on attitudes towards EBP and piloted it with a sample of 809 teachers in Germany. The factor structure was determined using categorical exploratory factor analysis in half of the sample and then confirmed using categorical confirmatory factor analysis in the other half. Good model fit and factor reliability were observed. The instrument is measurement-invariant between general and special education teachers. As expected, we found more positive attitudes towards EBP among special education teachers. No significant differences were observed between the different age groups. Based on these findings, it can be assumed that the measurement instrument is suitable for use in implementation research, as well as in the evaluation of initial and in-service teacher training programmes. Further studies on convergent, divergent and prognostic validities are necessary.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/M2ENC
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1466370
Database: ERIC
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Abstract:In the context of special and inclusive education, applying evidence-based practice (EBP) is important for providing equal access to effective and efficient education for students, regardless of their ability status. However, there is a relevant research-practice gap in this area. To better understand how teachers can be supported using evidence-based interventions and to identify training and development needs, we developed a questionnaire on attitudes towards EBP and piloted it with a sample of 809 teachers in Germany. The factor structure was determined using categorical exploratory factor analysis in half of the sample and then confirmed using categorical confirmatory factor analysis in the other half. Good model fit and factor reliability were observed. The instrument is measurement-invariant between general and special education teachers. As expected, we found more positive attitudes towards EBP among special education teachers. No significant differences were observed between the different age groups. Based on these findings, it can be assumed that the measurement instrument is suitable for use in implementation research, as well as in the evaluation of initial and in-service teacher training programmes. Further studies on convergent, divergent and prognostic validities are necessary.
ISSN:1471-3802
DOI:10.1111/1471-3802.12727