Educational psychology research and resources
Since 2016, educational psychologists from Scotland have been participating in the National Action Enquiry Programmes for Educational Psychologists.
The profession has been supported by Education Scotland in partnership with the Association of Scottish Principal Educational Psychologists (ASPEP) and the Scottish Division of Educational Psychology (SDEP) to carry out research which will help to inform priorities for Scottish education.
The National Improvement Framework and Scottish Attainment Challenge emphasise the importance of being evidence-informed through data and research. This is supported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF).
Educational psychologists are well placed to inform this research base for Scotland's children as research and development is one of their core functions.
This programme ensures research which is completed in Scottish schools is part of the evidence base used to inform local authority and national priorities.
Featured research
Since 2016, over forty research papers have been carried out and published. This research tends not to end with the publication and continues to be developed by educational psychologists within their own services.
All of the researchers are educational psychologists working in local authority educational psychology services.
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Attendance: the next pandemic? The psychology of school attendance (PDF)
A think piece by Scottish Division Of Educational Psychology National Action Enquiry Programme for Educational Psychologists.
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Meaningfully involving children and young people in meetings
Child’s plan and team around the child meetings are a forum where children's rights can be enacted. Fostering communication, collaboration, and trust is essential for meaningful participation.
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Increasing participation of care experienced children (PDF)
Enhancing the engagement of care experienced children and their families by using The Promise as a guide, for collaborative action research.
Research by category
Involving children and young people
Engaging parents
Literacy
Learning and teaching
Health and wellbeing
Programme cohorts and further research
There have been four cohorts and all have used national priorities from the Scottish Attainment Challenge and National Improvement Framework as their focus.
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National Action Enquiry Programme for Educational Psychologists (2016-17)
Research, undertaken in Scottish schools related to health, wellbeing and numeracy.
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National Action Enquiry Programme Reports (2018-19)
Research, undertaken in Scottish schools on closing the poverty-related attainment gap and or achieving excellence and equity for all.
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National Action Enquiry Programme for Educational Psychologists (2020-22)
Research, undertaken in Scottish schools on the impact of COVID-19 on learners, staff and families.
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National Action Enquiry Programme for Educational Psychologists (2023-25)
Educational psychology at the heart of education reform.
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Closing the poverty-related attainment gap in numeracy and mental health
Research, undertaken in schools by Scottish educational psychologists in partnership with teachers, children and young people.
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National conference of educational psychology 2022
The aim of this conference was to share research and ideas around improving outcomes for children and young affected by poverty.
Disclaimer
The findings and recommendations from the research and development project are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Education Scotland.