Conceptual Framework and Methodology of This Report

Abstract

In this volume, five separate studies examine differing aspects of relations between teacher quality, instructional quality and learning outcomes across countries, taking into account context characteristics such as school climate. The 2007 and 2011 TIMSS (Trends in Mathematics and Science Study) cycles provided the research data. These five studies cover grade four or grade eight students and their teachers, including cognitive or affective-motivational learning outcomes. This introductory chapter describes the overall conceptual framework and the research questions posed by each chapter, and outlines the general design features of TIMSS. Key constructs, and common methodological issues among the five studies are discussed, and this introduction concludes with an overview of all chapters.