School Psychology Related Research in South Africa

Abstract

Within a brief description of the socio-political and structural context that constrains school psychology related research in South Africa, current issues and selected research themes are discussed. Three central issues are identified as the socio-political relevance of research, the issue of community participation in research and the issue of interventionist vs. analytic research. The first theme, research related to the needs of underdeveloped communities, deals with research into underachievement in the Black school system looked at through different conceptual frameworks as well as with a strong, new current of community/action research. The second theme deals with research on those issues that arise in the practice of school psychology in the particular South African social context. The third theme discusses research on testing and test development as undertaken by a statefunded organization and the problematic nature of this area of research. Finally other research themes on child abuse, psycho-legal questions and vocational choice are briefly reviewed.