The characteristics of educational intervention research are reviewed: Educational intervention research is inspired by diverse theories, targeted at a variety of simple to very complex interventions, and includes a variety of methods and measurements. Some interventions have been studied much more than others, with the more studied ones often summarized in meta‐analyses and other integrative reviews. The study of some of the more complex interventions pose new ethical challenges. Although some intervention research impacts educational practice and policy, much more could and probably should.