Die bepaling van opvoedingsgrondtrekke deur middel van die struktuur–empiriese metode

Abstract

This research was undertaken as a result of the claim that the reformational fundamental pedagog must account for his methods in determining educational characteristics. Research has shown that current methods have not provided satisfactory scope for the cosmoscope of the pedagog, for his description of the perceived experiences of the pedagogical reality within its structural context, and for his ultimate description of educational characteristics. With this research project it was endeavoured to ouline a method, namely the structural-empirical method and to make it applicable to the science of education. Furthermore it was envisaged that through the application of this method educational characteristics can be determined in a Scriptural perspective. This method does justice to the structural nature of the educational reality, and reflects the facts that can be discovered empirically in education. The method followed in this study is mainly that of literature study,of a cosmoscopic reflection and inter-subjective control, all derived from a Scriptural point of view. To ouline the structural-empirical method, a study was made of the concepts "structure" and "empirical". Thereafter the entire structural-empirical concept was examined. The value of this method lies in the fact that it allows the researcher to perceive the empirical within the structure of education. With the assistance of the structural-empirical method four characteristics of education were analysed to show that educational characteristics can be better outlined if seen within their structural framework.This study has pointed out that the structural-empirical method can be used successfully by Christian educationalists and that note should be taken of its value in educational circles. It must, however, always be borne in mind that this method, like all other methods, must be used in conjuction with other scientific methods in determining educational characteristics.