Which type of educational research is aimed at solving local problems faced by practitioners?

The focus of the correct choice, which involves action educational research, is fundamentally centered on addressing specific, practical problems within a particular setting, often by the practitioners themselves. This type of research is characterized by its participatory nature, where educators or practitioners identify issues in their classrooms or schools, then plan and implement interventions to improve their practices or environments.

Action educational research is iterative; practitioners analyze the impact of interventions, reflect on the results, and make adjustments as needed. This form of research is highly relevant in real-world applications, making it a valuable tool for educators seeking to improve their practice and enhance student outcomes directly.

In contrast, the other types of educational research focus on different aspects. Evaluation educational research generally assesses the effectiveness of programs or curricula, targeting broader outcomes rather than localized issues. Orientational educational research aims to provide insights into educational strategies or philosophies but does not necessarily involve solving immediate problems in practice. Applied educational research takes established theories and applies them in real-world contexts but does not specifically focus on the iterative problem-solving aspect that marks action research. Therefore, the distinctive feature of action educational research is its targeted, situational problem-solving approach directly geared towards enhancing educational practices and environments.