Challenges for Educational Research: international development, partnerships and capacity building in small states

Educational research is being increasingly challenged for not contributing effectively enough to the improvement of policy and practice worldwide. Cri tics call for more relevant, cumulative, accessible and cost-effective stud ies. This paper examines the implications of this contemporary debate for s mall states, as they engage with increasingly powerful international develo pment agenda's while dealing with their own distinctive educational needs a nd priorities. Specific attention is given to different conceptions and tra ditions of educational research; to the potential of participatory and part nership models; to the process of educational research and evaluation capac ity building; to the sociopolitical implications of 'genuine' North-South p artnerships; and to the lessons that can be learned by all engaged in educa tional research from the comparative and international experience.