Some thoughts on doing educational research Philip C. Clarkson Australian Catholic University

What is educational research? How does research differ from curriculum development, teaching, contract evaluation, ….? How does research link to curriculum development, teaching, contract evaluation, ….?

What is quality educational research? Who is the judge? What criteria is used?

Feedback “… As you said, there is a reasonable amount of luck involved in getting a grant. Which is not to take away from the work that is involved in writing the wretched things. But I do realise that my grant happened to touch on particular aspects that the committee were interested at that moment. ….Mind you isn’t there a saying that the worst trick that God plays is in giving you what you want? At present, being involved in the processes of research, and justifying that research, and feeling a degree of panic at what is still to be done, I well understand that sentiment.”

Reply “…The pressure is one thing that we didn’t talk about and it might be useful to build that into the next seminar we have. Something along the lines of ‘how do different people cope with inevitable pressure.’ Maybe it could open up a discussion on ‘time lines’ and ‘when things go wrong.”

Linkages between professional areas of your life

Updating lecturing notes Literature review Critique of an area Test extravagant claims made in literature Distil something generic and share Each of these could also be the basis of an academic article

Cunning use of time Critique own lecturing Develop teams of complementary skilled colleagues Develop modest pilot studies Write progressive working papers Plan together, eg. intensive group work in non teaching time Analyse costs and efforts at strategic points

Dissemination A crucial part of the process Should aim for academic conference paper(s), academic journal article(s), professional conference paper(s), professional journal article(s), and your own lecture notes. Research application should be basis for all of academic/professional articles and conference and/or workshops

Creating linkages to others Loose discussion webs which may lead to more formal groupings, or may not Groups, centres