The empirical educational research has an eventful history, not only because of its content but also because of its methodological orientation. The article offers in addition to a brief historical review also some thoughts about the actual situation of empirical educational research. Reflections on future developments of and challenges for empirical educational research as an actual field of research are presented. The author shows how empirical educational research, due to reflections on its historical roots and its openness for interdisciplinary cooperation, is well prepared for future challenges.

Keywords
mixed methods, empirical educational research, theoretically founded educational research