Building Quality Education Through Management Research

Author: Dini Mulyani, Undergraduate Student in Islamic Education Management, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, Sunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University, Bandung / VD

Quality education cannot be separated from a measurable, targeted, and evidence-based management process. Amidst the complexity of educational issues, research serves as an important means of understanding problems, finding solutions, and formulating targeted policies. Through research, decisions are no longer based solely on intuition or assumptions, but on objective and tested scientific data. Therefore, research in education management has a strategic position as the foundation for the development of sustainable theories, practices, and policies to achieve better quality education.

First, The Meaning and Nature of Educational Management Research. Research is a planned effort using scientific methods to answer questions or solve real problems. In the context of educational management, research serves as a means of formulating strategies, policies, and educational innovations that are relevant to the needs in the field. Unlike ordinary observations, which tend to be subjective, research requires clear problem formulation, specific objectives, and systematic methods. It is logical, empirical, and measurable, so that the results can be scientifically accounted for.

Second, Functions of Educational Management Research. Research in educational management is not only important for the academic world, but also has a direct impact on educational practice. From a theoretical perspective, research enriches knowledge and builds new theories. Practically, it provides solutions to various real problems in schools and universities. The policy function makes research the basis for more strategic decision-making, while the academic function makes it an important part of scientific works such as theses, dissertations, or dissertations. Thus, research is not only about theory but also about real benefits.

Third, The Advantages of Research in Education Management. The main advantage of research lies in its objectivity. It provides measurable data, which distinguishes it from mere opinion or assumption. Through research, bias in decision-making can be reduced, as policies are based on valid data. In addition, research provides scientific evidence for the creation of innovations and new policies, making them more reliable than speculation. Replicable research results also strengthen consistent knowledge development. With these advantages, research becomes an important instrument for evaluating and improving the quality of education.

Fourth, Other Studies Similar to Research, Apart from research, there are other studies that also play a role in knowledge development, albeit with different characteristics. Evaluation studies, for example, focus on assessing the effectiveness and relevance of a program. Literature review studies present a synthesis of previous research to enrich understanding of a topic. There are also case studies and scientific essays that are more descriptive in nature without a complete research methodology. However, the fundamental difference lies in the objective: research aims to produce new findings that are systematic and can be retested, while other studies emphasize the analysis and interpretation of existing phenomena.

Research in educational management is the foundation for evidence-based policies and proven innovations. Its objectivity, validity, and replicability make it superior to other studies. Therefore, research must be positioned as a key pillar in improving the quality of education, whether at the school, university, or national policy levels.

*This paper is a review of part 2 of research in educational management from teaching materials for the management research methods course. The course lecturer is Prof. Dr. H. A. Rusdiana, M.M. References: https://eknows.uinsgd.ac.id/pluginfile.php/1032396/mod_assign/introattachment/0/002-%20Part%20II%20Riset%20dalam%20Manj%20Pendidikan.doc?forcedownload=1 

Sumber: Dokumen Pribadi