‘Habits of mind’ as an ambiguous concept in educational research

The article explores conceptualisations of ‘habits of mind’ employed in educational research. Considering the attention this concept has garnered, it would be timely to investigate how researchers apply and understand it. An overall aim is therefore to map different theoretical frameworks found in the literature. The methodology employed combines elements of a scoping review and content analysis. Initially, a search was conducted in the ERIC and Web of Science databases, yielding 174 research articles on the topic to analyse. Subsequently, frequently cited sources from these articles were identified to elucidate the concept further. The findings reveal that the term ‘habits of mind’ is utilised across multiple fields of study, yet conceptualisations vary considerably. While the term is used as a broad descriptor for general, cognitive processes, it is also utilised as a reference to specific human characteristics, such as creativity and open-mindedness. A divergent understanding like this may lead to confusion and complicate operationalisation of the term. The concluding discussion points out potential effects for educational research.