Handbook of Research in Social Studies Education

This Handbook outlines the current state of research in social studies education – a complex, dynamic, challenging field with competing perspectives about appropriate goals, and on-going conflict over the content of the curriculum. Equally important, it encourages new research in order to advance the field and foster civic competence; long maintained by advocates for the social studies as a fundamental goal.

In considering how to organize the Handbook, the editors searched out definitions of social studies, statements of purpose, and themes that linked (or divided) theory, research, and practices and established criteria for topics to include. Each chapter meets one or more of these criteria: research activity since the last Handbook that warrants a new analysis, topics representing a major emphasis in the NCSS standards, and topics reflecting an emerging or reemerging field within the social studies. The volume is organized around seven themes:

• Change and Continuity in Social Studies

  Civic Competence in Pluralist Democracies

  Social Justice and the Social Studies

  Assessment and Accountability

  Teaching and Learning in the Disciplines

  Information Ecologies: Technology in the Social Studies

  Teacher Preparation and Development

The Handbook of Research in Social Studies is a must-have resource for all beginning and experienced researchers in the field.