Fundamental Pedagogy Jana Doležalová

14.1 Sources of the Methodology of Pedagogy 
When exploring the sources from which to draw the foundations for our 
cognition and subsequently for relevant conclusions, we can basically use the 
following sources:
In pedagogy, education is perceived in the broadest sense of the word as the 
source of research. When exploring education, both the researcher and the 
pedagogue in practice use not only their own experience but also many other 
sources and resources. First and foremost, they should supress their subjective 
view as much as possible because it is undoubtedly represented in each 
research. Research studies 

opinions and experience (or concepts) of past and current pedagogues 
(both theoreticians and practitioners) (This issue is in more detail 
addressed by the history of pedagogy and comparative pedagogy.); 

opinions and experience of parents, learners and of the wider non-
pedagogical public; 

historical and modern documents related to the issue of education (laws, 
regulations, directives, school educational programmes, websites of 
schools and school facilities, school statistics, chronicles, annual reports of 
schools and school facilities, minutes from educational boards, school 
almanacs, class registers, school magazines, etc.);

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
the results of educational research and results from other scientific 
disciplines related to education (e.g. monographs, conference and seminar 
proceedings, etc.);

the results of educational research and experience from abroad with 
possible application in the local conditions. (This issue is addressed by 
comparative pedagogy, in particular in relation to the experience gained 
within the European Union.) 
The European Documentation and Information in Education (EUDISED) system 
provides coordination and collaboration of educational research in Europe. It is 
an international database gathering information on the launched and completed 
research projects in the member states of the Council of Europe. There are also 
other databases focusing on specific areas of pedagogy. 
What is the difference between theory and scientific knowledge? To put it 
simply, theory represents a system of knowledge, just like science, except that 
the scientific knowledge is proved and reflects objective reality. Theory includes 
a range of varied knowledge which is a mere (often ingenious) assumption 
which is only to be verified. Religion is a classic example of a perfectly 
elaborated theoretical system (providing answers to all essential questions of 
the world and life).