The field research pyramid

An integrative model for ethics, methodology and personal prerequisites in educational research

Abstract

How can academic integrity be put into practice in the context of educational field research? This article attempts to answer this question by developing an integrative pyramid model that systematically links and structures Roland Girtler’s (2009) practical ‘10 Commandments of Field Research’ and Robert K. Merton’s (1973) universal CUDOS principles of scientific ethics. The three-tiered pyramid model developed here (ethical, methodological, personal) establishes a heuristic framework. It is argued that only the synergistic interplay of these three levels enables successful and responsible research in educational contexts. The model translates Merton’s abstract ethical norms and Girtler’s practical maxims into an application-oriented structure for the planning, implementation and reflection on research work. The pyramid thus offers a didactic tool, particularly for the initial, continuing and further training of educators in empirical educational research, to sensitise prospective researchers at universities and universities of applied sciences to the multidimensional nature of their actions. The conclusion emphasises the relevance of consciously incorporating all three levels for responsible research.