Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) research has become a recognized and well-defined area of interdisciplinary research. The Handbook of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Research is the first handbook of its kind that specifically concentrates on research and research methods in TVET.

Technical and vocational education and training research has become a recognized and well-defined area of interdisciplinary research. The Handbook of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Research is the first handbook of its kind that specifically concentrates on research and research methods in TVET. It conceptualizes the different aspects of TVET research in a comprehensive manner and provides thorough definitions of these different approaches. The aims of TVET research are broad, and expectations in TVET research are high. It is expected that research in TVET should reflect on the foundations of TVET and its various (e.g. historical, geographical, labour-market) contexts. It is also expected that TVET research should shape the provision of skills, e.g. via pilot projects, or via monitoring and international comparison. The book presents different attempts and approaches for “measuring TVET” in all its variety; the aim of TVET research being to bring about recommendations for the improvement of TVET policy, planning and practice. This book presents examples where TVET research has succeeded or failed to do so, and explores whether TVET research can fulfill the expectations placed in it.

The book provides a comprehensive coverage of TVET research in an international context. Its sections focus on particular aspects of the field, starting with a presentation of the genesis of TVET research. It further features research in relation to policy, planning and practice. Various areas of TVET research are covered, including research on the vocational disciplines and on TVET systems. Country case studies illustrate different approaches to TVET research, and the final section of the book presents research methods, including interview and observation methods, as well as methods of experimentation and development.