Introduction to Education Studies is established as the key text for undergraduate students of education studies as well as for practitioners embarking on a higher degree. The book provides a thorough grounding for students new to the subject without assuming a substantial prior knowledge of the area. It also takes a multidisciplinary approach to the study of education, drawing on the authors' extensive experience of teaching and course development at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. This updated edition includes new sections on " the nature and purposes of education " research in education " ideologies and the curriculum " lifelong learning " comparative education " social and psychological explanations for pupil/student achievement " policy developments in education This highly popular, accessibly written text is essential reading for students on education studies courses. `The authors have provided an important resource for student study in education. Importantly, it reinforces the necessity of a multi-disciplinary approach to the understanding of contested educational process and practices in a contemporary context' - Dave Trotman, Escalate