William Boyd and the Research Committee of the Educational Institute of Scotland in the 1920s

Abstract

This paper discusses evidence for a unique vision to involve teachers in educational research in Scotland by the Educational Institute of Scotland in the 1920s through the work of its Research Committee. Led by William Boyd, the Committee thought that involvement in research was a crucial stepping stone towards achieving professional status for teachers. They conducted a number of detailed investigations involving teachers, thereby introducing research into the consciousness of teachers and paving the way for Scotland to make significant contributions to educational research on the international stage. Although Boyd himself was an educationist and did not call himself a psychologist, he was essentially working in the field of educational psychology and the co-opted membership of the Research Committee included James Drever, David Kennedy Fraser, William McClelland and others. This paper will explore something of the circumstances, substance and influence of this movement.